Yaacov
Yaacov is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “Held by the heel; may God protect”.
| Meaning | Held by the heel; may God protect |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Written as | יַעֲקֹב |
| Pronunciation | yah-ah-KOVE |
| Tradition | Jewish |
| Used in | Israel, United States |
Meaning and origin of Yaacov
Yaacov is a transliteration of the Hebrew name of Jacob. Genesis connects it with akev, 'heel', because Jacob was born holding the heel of his twin Esau, and the verb was later understood as 'to supplant'. Many scholars think it was originally short for a name like Yaakov-El, 'may God protect'. Jacob, renamed Israel, is the father of the twelve tribes.
Is Yaacov a Jewish name?
Yaacov is the name of the patriarch Jacob, whose story fills much of Genesis and whose name Israel became the name of the Jewish people.
How popular is Yaacov?
Widely used among Jewish families, especially in Israel and Orthodox communities; Yaakov is the more common spelling.
Gifts with the name Yaacov
- Yaacov name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Yaacov baby gifts (Amazon)
- Jewish baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Yaacov
Names similar to Yaacov
More Jewish boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yaacov mean?
Yaacov means 'Held by the heel; may God protect'. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Yaacov a Jewish name?
Yaacov is the name of the patriarch Jacob, whose story fills much of Genesis and whose name Israel became the name of the Jewish people.
How do you pronounce Yaacov?
Yaacov is pronounced yah-ah-KOVE.
Is Yaacov a boy or girl name?
Yaacov is usually a boy name.