Charles vs Jacob

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Charles

Boy #51 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"free man"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English French German Spanish Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#51
Total SSA Count
5,593
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Charlie, Chuck, Chaz

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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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
Full profile for Jacob →

Popularity Comparison

Charles Rank #51
Jacob Rank #41

Jacob is more popular, ranked #41 vs #51 for Charles.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Charles ___

  • Charles James
  • Charles William
  • Charles Edward
  • Charles Henry
  • Charles Robert
  • Charles Thomas

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 Charles

George Henry Edward Alice Eleanor

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 Charles or Jacob more popular?

Jacob is more popular, ranked #41 compared to Charles at #51 in the United States.

What do Charles and Jacob mean?

Charles means "free man" (Germanic origin). Jacob means "Supplanter; one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin).

Are Charles and Jacob boy or girl names?

Charles is primarily a boy name. Jacob is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Charles ← Full profile: Jacob Browse all baby names