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Ryan vs Jacob

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ryan

Boy #87 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"little king"

Origin: Irish Gaelic (O'Riain)

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#87
Total SSA Count
3,892
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Jacob

Boy #41 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"Supplanter; one who follows at the heel"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Jewish German Dutch Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#41
Total SSA Count
6,496
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Similar Names

Popularity Comparison

Ryan Rank #87
Jacob Rank #41

Jacob is more popular, ranked #41 vs #87 for Ryan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ryan or Jacob more popular?

Jacob is more popular, ranked #41 compared to Ryan at #87 in the United States.

What do Ryan and Jacob mean?

Ryan means "little king" (Irish Gaelic (O'Riain) origin). Jacob means "Supplanter; one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Ryan and Jacob boy or girl names?

Ryan is primarily a boy name. Jacob is primarily a boy name.

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