Jacob vs Theodore

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Jacob Rank #41
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #41 for Jacob.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Jacob ___

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

Theodore ___

  • Theodore James
  • Theodore William
  • Theodore Alexander
  • Theodore John
  • Theodore Henry
  • Theodore Arthur

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Jacob

Noah Elijah Isaac Hannah Rachel

If you choose Theodore

Olivia Charlotte Amelia Eleanor Oliver

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 Jacob or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Jacob at #41 in the United States.

What do Jacob and Theodore mean?

Jacob means "Supplanter; one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Jacob and Theodore boy or girl names?

Jacob is primarily a boy name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

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