Jacobi

Pronunciation: [ y-ahk-OHB-ee ]

Boy Name #1,827 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A distinctive take on Jacob with bold Latinized flair

African-American American Christian

Bold Modern Strong Unique

Meaning & Origin

"held by the heel"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Jacobi

Jacobi is a Latinized and stylized variant of Jacob, from the Hebrew name Yaakov (יַעֲקֹב), meaning 'he who supplants' or 'held by the heel' — referring to the biblical story of Jacob grasping his twin Esau's heel at birth. The '-i' ending gives it a distinctive, modern feel that sets it apart from the common Jacob.

Jacobi has gained traction in African-American communities since the 1990s as a distinctive alternative to the very common Jacob. It has also been used as a surname that has transitioned to a first name.

Jacob/Jacobi carries the legacy of the biblical patriarch Jacob, who became Israel and whose twelve sons founded the twelve tribes of Israel. The name thus carries enormous religious weight in Jewish and Christian traditions.

Fun Facts

The name Jacob/Jacobi was the most popular boys' name in the United States from 1999-2012
Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, New York is one of the largest public hospitals in the US

Jacobi in Other Languages

Latin Jacobus

French Jacobi

Hebrew יַעֲקֹב

Italian Giacobbe

Spanish Jacobo/Jacobi

Famous People Named Jacobi

Derek Jacobi

Actor

1938

Distinguished British actor and stage legend, known for I, Claudius and numerous Shakespearean roles

Jacobi Murphy

Athlete

American football wide receiver who played in the NFL

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #1,827
Total SSA Count: 89
Cultural Origins: African-American American Christian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Jacob #41 Jacoby #1323 Jacobo #1734

Common Nicknames

Jake Cobi JC

Pairs Well With

Jacobi Andre Jacobi Isaiah Jacobi Marcus Jacobi DeShawn Jacobi Michael Jacobi Xavier Jacobi Lee

Sibling Names

Malachi Isaiah Amara Zara Darius Kian

Also a Girl Name

Jacobi is also used as a girl name, ranked #33198.

View Jacobi as a girl name →

Similar Names

James Jacob Toby Corbin Toby Jacobo Yaakov Colby

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Frequently Asked Questions About Jacobi

What does the name Jacobi mean?

"held by the heel" (from Hebrew). Jacobi is a Latinized and stylized variant of Jacob, from the Hebrew name Yaakov (יַעֲקֹב), meaning 'he who supplants' or 'held by the heel' — referring to the biblical story of Jacob grasping his twin Esau's heel at birth. The '-i' ending gives it a distinctive, modern feel that sets it apart from the common Jacob.

What is the origin of the name Jacobi?

Jacobi has Hebrew, African-American, American, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "held by the heel".

Is Jacobi a boy or girl name?

Jacobi is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1827. As a girl name, it is ranked #33198. Jacobi is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Jacobi?

Jacobi is pronounced y-ahk-OHB-ee.

How popular is the name Jacobi?

Jacobi is currently ranked #1827 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Jacobi?

Common nicknames for Jacobi include Jake, Cobi, and JC.

What are good middle names for Jacobi?

Popular middle name pairings include Jacobi Andre, Jacobi Isaiah, Jacobi Marcus, Jacobi DeShawn, Jacobi Michael, Jacobi Xavier, and Jacobi Lee.

What are good sibling names for Jacobi?

Names that pair well with Jacobi as siblings include Malachi, Isaiah, Amara, Zara, Darius, and Kian.

How many syllables does Jacobi have?

Jacobi has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Jacobi a common or rare name?

Jacobi is an uncommon name, ranked #1827 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Jacobi

Jacobi is a boy name with African-American, American, and Christian origins . The name means "held by the heel" in Hebrew .

Is Jacobi a boy or girl name? Jacobi is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,827 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #33,198. Jacobi is more commonly used as a boy name.

Jacobi is currently ranked #1,827 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Jacobi has 3 syllables and is pronounced y-ahk-OHB-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Jacobi include Jake, Cobi, and JC. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Jacobi include Jacob, Jacoby, Jacobo . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.