Jakub
Say it: YAH-koob
BoyMeans usually explained as "held by the heel"5 letters2 syllables
#372
in Ireland (2025)
#360 with spellings combined
10
babies in 2025
#57
best rank (2009)
1,373
babies since 2004
Down 249
10-year rank change
Jakub through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #360 |
| 2024 | 12 | #317 |
| 2023 | 16 | #262 |
| 2022 | 17 | #266 |
| 2021 | 27 | #193 |
| 2020 | 27 | #183 |
| 2019 | 33 | #173 |
| 2018 | 59 | #115 |
| 2017 | 52 | #123 |
| 2016 | 64 | #106 |
| 2015 | 64 | #111 |
| 2014 | 94 | #84 |
| 2013 | 99 | #81 |
| 2012 | 106 | #73 |
| 2011 | 139 | #61 |
| 2010 | 136 | #60 |
| 2009 | 160 | #57 |
| 2008 | 138 | #64 |
| 2007 | 68 | #105 |
| 2006 | 41 | #134 |
| 2005 | 8 | #302 |
| 2004 | 3 | #506 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Jakub mean?
Usually explained as "held by the heel"
Polish and Czech form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Yaakov.
Say it right
YAHkoob
In Polish and Czech the J sounds like an English Y. Some people in Ireland say JAY-kub.
The story of Jakub
Jakub is the Polish, Czech and Slovak form of Jacob. Jacob goes back to the Hebrew Yaakov, which the Book of Genesis links to aqev, the heel: Jacob was born holding the heel of his twin brother Esau. The historical origin of the name is less certain. Jakub has long been one of the most popular boys’ names in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The name arrived in the Irish records with families from Poland and other central European countries, who came to Ireland in large numbers after 2004.
Jakub first reached the CSO list in 2004 and rose very quickly. In 2009, 160 boys were named Jakub, putting it at number 57. It stayed well used through the 2010s. It has been less common in recent years, and 10 boys were named Jakub in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jakub
- Wikipedia: Jacob
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Jakub | 10 | 1,373 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #111 (2011); 236 babies since 2006.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.