Jakub

Jakub is a male first name that is considered a West Slavic variant of the biblical name Jakob. The origin of this name lies in the ancient Hebrew Jaʿakow, although its exact meaning is not definitively clarified.

What does the name Jakub mean?

Jakub, a West Slavic form of the name Jakob, is derived from the ancient Hebrew Jaʿakow. The meaning of the name is either 'God protect' or 'heel holder'. For detailed derivations, we refer to the page about the name Jakob. Jakub is particularly popular in countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. A common diminutive is Kuba.

Where does the name Jakub come from?

The name Jakub, derived from Jakob, has its roots in the ancient Hebrew name 'Jaʿakow'. In this form, it can be interpreted in ancient Hebrew as a phrase for 'God protect' or 'may God protect'. Another possible derivation refers to the ancient Hebrew term 'akow', which means 'to hold the heel' (from 'akew' for 'heel').

How do you pronounce Jakub?

The pronunciation of the name Jakub is clear and consists of two syllables. It is usually pronounced as 'Ja-kub' [ˈjaːkʊp], with the name starting with a long A sound that conveys a certain openness. The hard k in the second syllable adds a distinctive accent, and the final consonant provides a sense of stability. Jakub has a classic and powerful sound that stands out due to its clear structure.

When is the name day of Jakub?

The main name days for Jakub are celebrated on May 3 (James the Less), July 25 (James the Greater), and October 6 (Patriarch Jacob).

Popularity

In Germany, Jakub is a very sought-after first name. Currently, it ranks 384th on the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 1993 when it reached 114th place. In the last ten years, Jakub has been given as a first name around 2,200 times, placing it 314th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it holds the 323rd position. Jakub also enjoys considerable popularity internationally.

Nicknames & pet names

Jacke / Jakobus / Kuba / Kubi / Kubo / Kubu

Similar first names

Famous people

• Jakub Auguston (Czech architect)
• Jakub Blaszczykowski (Kuba) (footballer (BVB))
• Jakub Bursa (American architect)
• Jakub Cerny (Czech ice hockey player)
• Jakub Chlebowski (physicist from Poland)
• Jakub Cutta (Czech ice hockey player)
• Jakub Divis (football player from the Czech Republic)
• Jakub Gierszał (Polish actor)
• Jakub Goldberg (Polish actor)
• Jakub Grajchman (Slovak writer)
• Jakub Heidenreich (Czech footballer)
• Jakub Hlava (Czech ski jumper)
• Jakub Jerabek (Czech ice hockey player)
• Jakub Kornfeil (motorcycle racer from the Czech Republic)
• Jakub Kot (Polish ski jumper)
• Jakub Langhammer (ice hockey player from Germany)
• Jakub Lucak (Polish handball player)
• Jakub Matejuv ze Sobeslavi (scholar from the Czech Republic)
• Jakub Paur (football player from the Czech Republic)
• Jakub Petr (Czech football player)