How to say it
JAKE
dʒeɪk
Masculine
Jake
Supplanter
What it means
A short form of Jacob, from the Hebrew for 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.'
Jake began as a short form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Yaakov, 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel,' the patriarch who grasped his twin's heel at birth. It long ago became a confident standalone name, easygoing and all-American. Actors like Jake Gyllenhaal keep it current. One friendly syllable.
How to spell Jake
The standard spelling is Jake. Common variants include Jacob, Jaik, Jayke, but Jake is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #96 in 2000, currently #457 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
A short form of Jacob, now used on its own.
- Pop culture
Actor Jake Gyllenhaal.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Jake Gyllenhaal American actor known for Brokeback Mountain and Nightcrawler
Spelling variants
- Jacob
- Jaik
- Jayke
Names with the same feeling
See Jake from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Jake mean?
- A short form of Jacob, from the Hebrew for 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.'
- What does Jake mean in Hebrew?
- In Hebrew, Jake means "Supplanter." Jake began as a short form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Yaakov, 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel,' the patriarch who grasped his twin's heel at birth. It long ago became a confident standalone name, easygoing and all-American. Actors like Jake Gyllenhaal keep it current. One friendly syllable.
- Is Jake short for Jacob?
- Yes. Jake is a short form of Jacob, and it carries the same meaning, "Supplanter." These days many parents use Jake as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Jake?
- Jake is pronounced dʒeɪk. Say it as JAKE, with the stress on the "jake" syllable.
- How do you spell Jake?
- The standard spelling is Jake. Common spelling variants include Jacob, Jaik, Jayke.
- Is Jake a boy or girl name?
- Jake is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Jake?
- Jake ranked #457 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.