Arthur vs Jacob

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Arthur

Boy #105 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bear, bear-like strength"

Origin: Brythonic Celtic

Cultural Roots

English French Welsh British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#105
Total SSA Count
3,318
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Art, Artie

Playground Safety Score

12 High Risk

{:type=>:nickname, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Arthur' can be twisted to 'fart'"}

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
Nicknames
Jake, Jakey, Jay

Playground Safety Score

All Clear

Popularity Comparison

Arthur Rank #105
Jacob Rank #41

Jacob is more popular, ranked #41 vs #105 for Arthur.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Arthur ___

  • Arthur James
  • Arthur William
  • Arthur Henry
  • Arthur Frederick
  • Arthur George
  • Arthur Edmund

Jacob ___

  • Jacob Alexander
  • Jacob William
  • Jacob Thomas
  • Jacob Michael
  • Jacob David
  • Jacob Robert

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Arthur

Theodore Edmund Cecily Rosalind Frederick

If you choose Jacob

Noah Elijah Isaac Hannah Rachel

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arthur or Jacob more popular?

Jacob is more popular, ranked #41 compared to Arthur at #105 in the United States.

What do Arthur and Jacob mean?

Arthur means "bear, bear-like strength" (Brythonic Celtic origin). Jacob means "Supplanter; one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Arthur and Jacob boy or girl names?

Arthur is primarily a boy name. Jacob is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons