Iacob

Iacob is a masculine given name used in Romanian and in other languages as a form of Jacob. It derives from the Hebrew Ya'akov, traditionally interpreted as meaning "he who supplants" and often associated with the idea of grabbing the heel at birth, i.e., "holder of the heel." Through Latin Iacobus, the name spread across Europe and evolved into many forms, including Jacob in English, Jacques in French, Giacomo in Italian, Jakub in several Slavic languages, and Yaakov in Hebrew.

In Romanian usage, Iacob is the standard form of the biblical name Jacob and has been attested since the Middle Ages. The name is found in religious texts, literature, and civil records, reflecting the enduring influence of biblical naming practices in Romanian-speaking communities.

Across languages, the root name has produced a wide family of related forms. In Christian and Jewish traditions, the figure of Jacob is a patriarch and a progenitor of the twelve tribes of Israel, while in later Christian usage the name also appears in the form of saints named James in Romanian-language translations.

Today, Iacob remains a relatively common given name in Romania and among Romanian-speaking communities abroad, often appearing in historical and contemporary contexts. Related forms include Jacob, Jakub, Giacomo, Jacobo, and Yaakov.