Jakub

♂ Boy

Pronounced YAH-koob /ˈjɑː.kub/High

Meaning: Polish and Czech form of Jacob/James, from Hebrew Yaakov, meaning one who supplants or holds by the heel, with a secondary interpretation of may God protectHigh

In 30 seconds: Jakub is the Polish and Czech form of Jacob, from Hebrew Yaakov meaning supplanter or he who holds by the heel. It is one of the most popular boys names in Poland and is deeply rooted in biblical and Catholic tradition across Central Europe.

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Origin HighHebrew, Czech, Polish

MeaningPolish and Czech form of Jacob/James, from Hebrew Yaakov, meaning one who supplants or holds by the heel, with a secondary interpretation of may God protect

U.S. rank (2025)#3271 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births36 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2008

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,066

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

Jakub is the Polish and Czech adaptation of the Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob), a patriarch of the Old Testament. The name derives from the Hebrew root aqav (heel), referring to the biblical story of Jacob grasping Esau's heel at birth. Through Latin Jacobus and then into Slavic languages, it became one of Central Europe's most beloved names.

In Poland, Jakub has been in continuous use for centuries and regularly ranks among the top 10 boys names. Saint James (Jakub in Polish) the Apostle is widely venerated, lending the name strong Catholic devotional resonance. The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other Slavic countries use the same form. In the United States, Jakub is used among Polish-American communities.

Did you know? In the biblical narrative, Jacob received his name because he was born holding his twin brother Esau's heel — a sign, his parents believed, that he would supersede his brother. The dramatic story of Jacob wrestling with an angel to earn the name Israel is one of the Bible's most memorable episodes.

Overall data confidence 93%

Behind the Name — Jakub — Polish/Czech form of JacobPolish Central Statistical Office — Name popularity data in Poland

Variations

JacobJakobJamesJakov

Nicknames

KubaJak

Famous Bearers

★Jakub Wejher (1609–1657)
Polish nobleman, magnate, and military commander who founded the town of Wejherowo in Pomerania in 1643.

If you like Jakub…

Jacob— the English form of the same Hebrew name Yaakov

Jakob— the German and Scandinavian spelling of the same name

Jan— Polish form of John, the most common Polish boys name alongside Jakub

Filip— Polish form of Philip, another apostle name of comparable standing in Polish Catholic tradition

Explore names like Jakub

By themehebrew classic biblical two-syllable saint polish czech

By meaningGod / Divine Protector

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jakub mean?

Jakub means supplanter or he who holds by the heel, from Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob). It is the Polish and Czech form of Jacob.

How do you pronounce Jakub?

It is said YAH-koob, with two syllables and stress on the first — the J is pronounced like Y in Polish.

Is Jakub a boy or girl name?

Jakub is a boy's name.

How popular is Jakub?

Jakub is consistently one of the top 10 boys names in Poland and is also popular in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In the United States it is used in Polish-American communities.