Jacobo

Jacobo is a masculine given name used in Spanish-speaking countries and in other contexts to render the Latin Jacob or the English James. It has historical and religious associations stemming from the Hebrew name Ya’akov, traditionally interpreted as “supplanter” or “holder of the heel.” In Spanish and other Romance languages, Jacobo is one of several variants of the same name.

Etymology and usage notes: Jacobo derives from the Latin Iacobus, itself descended from the Hebrew Ya’akov. In different languages the name appears as Giacomo in Italian, Jacques in French, and James or Jacob in English. In Spanish, Jacobo is common in older or formal usage, while Jaime is often used as the contemporary equivalent for James, though Jaime has a distinct etymological path.

Notable individuals: The name has been borne by several public figures. Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán was a Guatemalan army officer who served as president from 1951 to 1954. Jacobo Timerman was an Argentine journalist and editor known for his writings about Argentina’s dictatorship and human rights abuses. Jacobo Zabludovsky was a prominent Mexican journalist and longtime television anchor, a leading figure in Mexican broadcast news.

See also: The name Jacobo appears in literature and historical records primarily as a given name in Spanish-speaking cultures. Variants and feminine forms exist in related languages, reflecting broader cultural and religious naming traditions.