Jacob
BoysBest rank #1 (2008) · ranked in 18 years
Jacob has appeared in the popularity rankings across 18 of the tracked years since 2008.
It eased from #1 in 2008 to #73 in 2025.
In the most recent data (2025) it ranks #73.
22,650 newborns received the name Jacob in 2008, its peak year.
Jacob was most popular around 2008, making it characteristic of the 2000s generation.
Rank by year
Where Jacob is most popular
In 2025, Jacob was recorded in 51 of the 51 US jurisdictions the SSA reports on, with 6,152 births nationwide.
The largest share came from California at 744 births, 12.1% of the national total, where it ranked #66 that year.
By census region the name skews South, which accounts for 39.4% of Jacob births, against 23.4% Northeast, 15.7% Midwest, 21.5% West.
State rankings spread more than the national figure suggests: Jacob placed as high as #14 in New York and as low as #266 in Montana.
Top states, 2025
- 1California744 · #66 there
- 2Texas734 · #54 there
- 3New York631 · #14 there
- 4Florida472 · #45 there
- 5New Jersey274 · #25 there
Share by census region
- Northeast23.4%
- Midwest15.7%
- South39.4%
- West21.5%
Shares are of this name's national total, not of each state's births. SSA withholds any name under 5 occurrences per state and year. Browse all states
Frequently asked questions
- Is Jacob a popular name?
- Jacob reached a best rank of #1 in 2008 and has charted in 18 years.
- Where does Jacob rank now?
- In the most recent data (2025), Jacob ranks #73.
- Is Jacob a boy or girl name?
- It is recorded primarily as a boys' name.
- When was Jacob most popular?
- Jacob peaked around 2008.
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Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) - Popular Baby Names (national)