Jakov

♂ Boy

Pronounced YAH-kov /ˈjɑː.kɒv/Medium

Meaning: Jakov is the Croatian, Serbian and wider South Slavic form of Jacob, from Hebrew Yaakov — traditionally read as 'holder of the heel' or 'supplanter,' after Jacob's grip on his twin's heel at birth. It is a long-standing classic in the Balkans.Medium

In 30 seconds: Jakov is the Slavic Jacob (said 'YAH-kov') — Hebrew for 'holder of the heel,' a classic across Croatia and the Balkans.

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Origin HighCroatian, Hebrew

MeaningJakov is the Croatian, Serbian and wider South Slavic form of Jacob, from Hebrew Yaakov — traditionally read as 'holder of the heel' or 'supplanter,' after Jacob's grip on his twin's heel at birth. It is a long-standing classic in the Balkans.

U.S. rank (2024)#13031 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2010

Total births (all-time)≈ 22

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Jakov is the South Slavic form of Jacob — Hebrew Yaakov — one of the great patriarchal names of scripture. It has been steadily used in Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia for centuries, and travels to the U.S. with Balkan families, where it stands out as crisp and continental (said 'YAH-kov').

In the U.S. it is rare, while Jacob remains a favorite. Rare here, classic in the Balkans.

Did you know? Jacob was born gripping his twin brother's heel, which is what his Hebrew name records. In Croatia and Serbia that name is Jakov, said 'YAH-kov.'

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Jakov — South Slavic form of Jacob; Hebrew Yaakov

Variations

JacobYakovJakub

Nicknames

JaksKov

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Jakov…

Jacob— the English form of the same name

Yakov— the Hebrew and Russian form

Jakub— the Polish and Czech twin

Luka— a like Slavic classic

Explore names like Jakov

By themehebrew heritage biblical slavic

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jakov mean?

Jakov is the Slavic form of Jacob, from Hebrew Yaakov, 'holder of the heel' or 'supplanter.'

How do you pronounce Jakov?

It's said YAH-kov /ˈjɑː.kɒv/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Jakov a boy or girl name?

Jakov is a boy's name.

How popular is Jakov?

Jakov is rare in the U.S. but a long-standing classic in Croatia and the Balkans.