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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Jacques

Jacques

β™‚ Boy

Pronounced ZHAK /ʒɑːk/High

Meaning: Supplanter; God is gracious; French form of James/Jacob, from Hebrew Yaakov (supplanter) via Latin Jacobus and Old French JaquesHigh

In 30 seconds: The French form of James/Jacob meaning 'supplanter,' pronounced ZHAK with a silent final s. One of France's most classic masculine names β€” elegant, one-syllable, and immediately recognizable as distinctly French.
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Origin HighFrench, Hebrew
MeaningSupplanter; God is gracious; French form of James/Jacob, from Hebrew Yaakov (supplanter) via Latin Jacobus and Old French Jaques
U.S. rank (2025)#1938 β†— Rising
2025 U.S. births80 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1969
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 9,732

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 196918882025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Jacques is the French form of James and Jacob, from Hebrew Yaakov (supplanter) via Latin Jacobus and Old French Jaques. It has been one of the most common French masculine names for centuries, borne by philosophers, explorers, and statesmen.

Jacques has been used in French American and broader communities as an elegant alternative to James or Jack. Its 2024 ranking of #2375 for boys reflects its use as a sophisticated French name choice.

Did you know? Jacques is pronounced ZHAK in French β€” the -ques is entirely silent. This is because Old French spelled the spoken sound 'Jak' with a Latinized -ques ending. The result is the most classic example of French silent-letter spelling in common given names.
Overall data confidence 94%
Behind the Name β€” Jacques β€” French/Hebrew etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration β€” popularity data

Variations

JacobJamesJacque

Nicknames

Jac

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Jacques Cousteau (1910–1997)
    French naval officer, filmmaker, and ocean explorer who co-invented the Aqua-Lung. His TV documentaries introduced millions to the wonders of the ocean.

If you like Jacques…

Jeanβ€” one-syllable French masculine name with the same classic Gallic character
Pierreβ€” French form of Peter, equally classic and two-syllable
Marcβ€” French one-syllable masculine name with the same elegance
Reneβ€” French masculine name meaning reborn in the same register
Lucβ€” French one-syllable name with the same Gallic crispness

Explore names like Jacques

By themehebrewclassicfrenchone-syllable
By meaningGod / DivineGrace

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jacques mean?

Jacques means 'supplanter,' the French form of James and Jacob, from Hebrew Yaakov via Latin Jacobus.

How do you pronounce Jacques?

It's said ZHAK /ʒɑːk/ β€” one syllable. The -ques is entirely silent in French.

Is Jacques a boy or girl name?

Jacques is a boy's name.

How popular is Jacques?

Jacques ranked #2375 for U.S. boys in 2024.

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