yaakov

Yaakov is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. It is the Hebrew form of the name Jacob and is commonly transliterated as Ya’akov or Yaacov in various contexts. The name is associated with the Hebrew root meaning “heel” or “to follow,” reflecting the traditional interpretation of the name as “supplanter” or “one who follows after.”

In the Hebrew Bible, Yaakov is a patriarch, the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the twin brother of Esau. He is the father of the twelve sons who become the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel. A pivotal episode in his life is his struggle with a divine being, after which the text says his name is changed to Israel, giving rise to the title “Israelites” for his descendants.

Today, Yaakov is a common given name in Jewish communities and in Israel. In English-speaking countries the name is typically rendered Jacob, while Yaakov remains widely used in Hebrew-speaking and Yiddish-speaking communities. Variants and transliterations include Yaacov, Yakov, and other spellings that reflect different alphabets and languages.

The name Yaakov carries religious and cultural resonance due to its biblical associations, and it continues to be chosen for boys in families seeking a connection to Jewish heritage, biblical tradition, or Hebrew linguistic tradition.