Jacobus

Jacobus is a masculine given name of Latin origin. It derives from Iacobus, the Latin form of the Hebrew Ya'akov (Jacob). The name has long been associated with biblical figures and saints, and it has produced a wide range of forms across languages, including James in English, Jacques in French, Giacomo in Italian, and Jakobus in German and Dutch.

In religious contexts, Jacobus is the Latin form used for James the Apostle, often appearing in ecclesiastical texts as Iacobus Maior (the Greater) or Iacobus Minor (the Lesser). The form has continued to appear in liturgy and hagiography, reflecting its enduring presence in Christian tradition.

Historically, the name has been borne by several notable figures. Jacobus Arminius (often anglicized as Arminius) was a Dutch theologian whose writings influenced Reformed theology and debates over predestination. Jacobus de Voragine, also known as Jakobus de Voragine, was a 13th-century Italian chronicler and archbishop, famed for the Golden Legend. Jacobus Henricus van ’t Hoff was a Dutch chemist and Nobel laureate recognized for his work in chemical thermodynamics. Jacobus Oud is recognized as a Dutch architect associated with early 20th-century design.

Today, the name Jacobus remains in use primarily in Dutch and other European contexts, typically in formal or historical settings. Its common English equivalents are James and Jacob, reflecting a broad and enduring cultural transmission of the name across centuries.