Data-driven popularity statistics, SSA rankings, and historical trends for the name Jacob.
National Rank (2025)
#43
All-Time Peak Rank
#1 (1999)
Total U.S. Births
988,227
Unisex Distribution99.8% Boy / 0.2% GirlBalance: Overwhelmingly Male
💡 The Jacob Vibe: This choice is considered a Perennial Favorite. A historic staple that has maintained dominant national popularity for over half a century.
📖 The Story Behind Jacob
According to SSA data, Jacob achieved its highest historical rank of #1 in 1999. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 1998 with 36,031 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 61.6%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 146 consecutive years.
📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)
Watch how the absolute registration footprint of the name Jacob scaled historically over the last century:
5-Year Trajectory Velocity
Declining
10-Year Decadal Shift Change
-61.6% Decline
18801920196020002025
📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility
Busiest Year on Record36,031Births in 1998
Years in Top 100
76yrs
Registry Appearance Streak
146Years
Historical VolatilityModerately Volatile
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s:3,566
1890s:2,551
1900s:2,191
1910s:8,684
1920s:9,047
1930s:5,264
1940s:4,853
1950s:5,400
1960s:5,075
1970s:36,351
1980s:124,254
1990s:298,415
2000s:274,077
2010s:163,321
2020s:45,178
📐 Sound & Spelling Structure
Phonetic SyllablesJa-cob
Letter Count5 Letters
Spelling ComplexityModerate
Linguistic Profile Narrative: It is an isogram, meaning no two letters are repeated. Longer than 7.7% of SSA names. Starts with J, a letter used by only 7.8% of SSA names.
🛠️ Rhythm & Cadence Engine
Need a middle name or matching choice that pairs cleanly with Jacob? Enter a surname or older sibling name below to test structural meter and syllable cohesion:
BabyNameAnalytics