Yacoub
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 264 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Yacoub is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, the Arabic form of Jacob, from the Hebrew Ya'akov, meaning 'supplanter' or 'he who follows at the heel.' In Islamic tradition, Yacoub (Yaqub) is revered as a prophet — the son of Isaac and father of the twelve tribes.
Yacoub carries the weight of a name shared by three great Abrahamic traditions — Jewish, Christian, and Islamic — with the distinctly Arabic pronunciation that connects it to centuries of Islamic scholarship and devotion.
EtymologyShow more
Yacoub is built from 6 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Arabic naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Yacoub creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Yacoub was #6123 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #6792, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 81 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 110 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 45 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 28 | — |
The Story of Yacoub
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2020, Yacoub is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Yacoub are most likely born between 2010 and 2024.
How rare is Yacoub?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Yacoub — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1991, peaked in the 2010s with 110 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Yacoub by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(26 years, 1991–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #6792 |
| 2023 | 18 | #5451 |
| 2022 | 16 | #5850 |
| 2021 | 11 | #7555 |
| 2020 | 23 | #4413 |
| 2019 | 19 | #5142 |
| 2018 | 18 | #5306 |
| 2017 | 20 | #4925 |
| 2016 | 10 | #8121 |
| 2015 | 12 | #7045 |
| 2014 | 6 | #12045 |
| 2013 | 8 | #9625 |
| 2012 | 7 | #10720 |
| 2011 | 5 | #14258 |
| 2010 | 5 | #14173 |
| 2009 | 5 | #14430 |
| 2007 | 6 | #12304 |
| 2006 | 10 | #7975 |
| 2004 | 13 | #6123 |
| 2003 | 6 | #10856 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yacoub a boy's or girl's name?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1991–2024