Jake

At a Glance

Meaning

Supplanter, held by the heel (via Jacob)

Origin

English (from Jack, also short form of Jacob)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

JAYKListen

Jake is pronounced JAYK (/ˈdʒeɪk/), and it's an English name that actually started out as a medieval nickname for Jack, itself short for John — not, as many assume, a nickname for Jacob. Jake did later become a short form of Jacob too, and when used that way it carries the meaning "supplanter, held by the heel." It reads as both classic and clean, simple in a way that still feels current.

Meaning & Origin of Jake

Meaning: Supplanter, held by the heel (via Jacob).

Origin: English (from Jack, also short form of Jacob).

A common claim: Widely said to mean 'supplanter,' as a nickname for Jacob. Actually: Incomplete — Jake began as a medieval nickname for Jack (from John), not Jacob; the 'supplanter' meaning applies only to its later use as a Jacob diminutive.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Jake

Popularity of Jake

Jake reached its peak popularity in 2000, when it ranked #96 with 4,091 babies given the name; by 2024 it had settled to #422, with 743 babies named Jake.

Names Like Jake

These names share Jake’s style, era or origin.

• Dan
• Jesse
• Zane
• Abel
• Abraham
• Adam

FAQ

What does the name Jake mean?

Supplanter, held by the heel (via Jacob). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Jake?

Jake is pronounced JAYK (IPA: /ˈdʒeɪk/).

Is Jake a popular name right now?

Jake peaked at #96 in 2000 and is ranked #422 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Jake Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Jake, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.