Jakobus

Jakobus is a male given name used in German- and Dutch-speaking regions. It is the form of James/Jacob commonly found in those cultures, and it derives from the Latin Iacobus, which in turn comes from the Hebrew Ya’akov (Jacob). In religious contexts, Jakobus is the form associated with Saint James the Apostle, a figure venerated in Catholic and Protestant traditions and referenced in church calendars and related texts.

Variants of the name include Jakob (German and Dutch), Jacob, and other language forms such as Jacques (French), Jacobo (Spanish), and Jakub (Slavic languages). In Dutch, Jakobus is often viewed as a traditional or formal version, with Jaap as a common diminutive; in German, Jakob is generally more widely used in contemporary contexts, while Jakobus may appear in ecclesiastical, historical, or formal settings.

The name has a long historical presence in Christian Europe, appearing in hagiographies, scholarly works, and place names. Beyond religious use, Jakobus has appeared in literature and genealogical records in German- and Dutch-speaking areas.

Today, Jakobus remains a recognizable but less common given name in many German- and Dutch-speaking communities, where Jakob/Jacob has emerged as the more prevalent form for newborns. The name’s enduring associations with Saint James and with traditional forms contribute to its continued visibility in historical and religious contexts.