"supplanter, he who grasps the heel"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Ancient Hebrew
Yaqub
Does Yaqub flow with your last name?
A timeless prophet's name carried across civilizations
Arabic
Muslim
Islamic
South Asian
Turkish
Traditional
Spiritual
Classic
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Yaqub
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Meaning & Origin
"may God protect"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
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The Story of Yaqub
Yaqub is the Arabic and Islamic form of the biblical patriarch Jacob. The name traces back to the Hebrew Ya'akov, meaning 'he who grasps the heel' or 'supplanter' — referring to the story of Jacob grasping his twin Esau's heel at birth. In Islamic tradition, Prophet Yaqub (Jacob) is revered as a patriarch and father of the Twelve Tribes. The name is mentioned in the Quran multiple times.
Yaqub has been a consistently popular name in Muslim communities for centuries, as it belongs to the lineage of Islamic prophets. It remains common across the Arab world, South Asia (Pakistan, Bangladesh, India), and Muslim communities in Turkey, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.
In Islam, Yaqub is considered one of the greatest prophets, known for his patience during the separation from his beloved son Yusuf (Joseph). Naming a son Yaqub carries the honor of sharing a name with this revered prophet.
Historical Record
Yaqub first appeared in US Social Security records in 2000.
Over 603 babies have been named Yaqub in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Yaqub is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,949 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Yaqub (Jacob) is mentioned 16 times in the Quran and is considered one of the most important patriarchal prophets in Islam
- Jacob/Yaqub is a patriarch shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — one of the few names sacred to all three Abrahamic faiths
- The biblical Jacob wrestled with an angel and was renamed Israel, becoming the father of the Twelve Tribes
Yaqub in Other Languages
Urdu
یعقوب
Arabic
يعقوب
Hebrew
יַעֲקֹב (Ya'akov)
Persian
یعقوب
Turkish
Yakup
Popularity Over Time
#2,949
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Yaqub
Y
Yaqub Khan
Politician
1920
Pakistani diplomat, general, and politician who served as Foreign Minister of Pakistan
P
Prophet Yaqub (Jacob)
Religious
Islamic and biblical patriarch, son of Isaac, father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, one of the major prophets in Islami...
Islamic and biblical patriarch, son of Isaac, father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, one of the major prophets in Islamic tradition
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,949
- Total SSA Count
- 42
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Muslim Islamic South Asian Turkish
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Yak
Koob
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, spiritual style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Yaqub
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Yaqub
What does the name Yaqub mean?
"supplanter, he who grasps the heel" (from Hebrew). "may God protect" (from Arabic). Yaqub is the Arabic and Islamic form of the biblical patriarch Jacob. The name traces back to the Hebrew Ya'akov, meaning 'he who grasps the heel' or 'supplanter' — referring to the story of Jacob grasping his twin Esau's heel at birth. In Islamic tradition, Prophet Yaqub (Jacob) is revered as a patriarch and father of the Twelve Tribes. The name is mentioned in the Quran multiple times.
What is the origin of the name Yaqub?
Yaqub has Hebrew, Arabic, Muslim, Islamic, South Asian, and Turkish origins. In Hebrew, it means "supplanter, he who grasps the heel". In Arabic, it means "may God protect".
Is Yaqub a boy or girl name?
Yaqub is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Yaqub?
Yaqub is currently ranked #2949 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Yaqub?
Common nicknames for Yaqub include Yak and Koob.
What are good middle names for Yaqub?
Popular middle name pairings include Yaqub Ali, Yaqub Hassan, Yaqub Ibrahim, Yaqub Omar, Yaqub Kareem, Yaqub Tariq, and Yaqub Nasser.
What are good sibling names for Yaqub?
Names that pair well with Yaqub as siblings include Ibrahim, Yusuf, Maryam, Fatima, Dawud, Isa, and Omar.
How many syllables does Yaqub have?
Yaqub has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Yaqub a common or rare name?
Yaqub is an uncommon name, ranked #2949 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Yaqub
Yaqub is a boy name with Arabic, Muslim, Islamic, South Asian, and Turkish origins . The name means "supplanter, he who grasps the heel" in Hebrew .
Yaqub is currently ranked #2,949 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Yaqub has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Yaqub include Yak and Koob. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis