Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Jake

The name Jake comes from Middle English as a variant of Jack and another pet form of John (in Scotland, they used Jock). John is derived from the Hebrew name “Johahah” meaning ‘God is gracious.’ However, Jake is also considered a nickname or short form of Jacob. Jacob is a Latin derivation of the Hebrew name "Yaakov" traditionally thought to be derived from the word "akev" - which literally translates to "at the heel". In Genesis 25:26, Jacob was born the younger twin to Isaac and Rebecca and he "came out with his hand holding Esau's heel, so his name was called Jacob." The Lord told Rebecca that the younger would be stronger, and that the older would serve the younger. As the Biblical story progresses, the cunning Jacob eventually supplants his older brother by stealing his birthright and his father's blessing. "Is he not rightly named Jacob?" Esau asks in Genesis 27:36. "For he has supplanted me these two times." So if the name is derived from Jacob, than the meaning is ‘to supplant or to displace’ as Jacob did to Esau. In any case, the name Jake, like Jack, has become an independent name in its own right.

All About the Baby Name – Jake

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME JAKE

The number Nine personality represents the completion or ending of the cycle, and a need for perfection. This is the personality that moves from "self" to a greater understanding and compassion for the human condition and the world order. They want to make the world a better place. Nines are capable of great spiritual and humanitarian achievements. They are courageous and fearless, able to fight great battles on behalf of worthy causes. These personalities will not tolerate injustice. They are compassionate people with a strong sensitivity to others. They are able to both educate and inspire. Friendships and relationships are the lifeblood to the Nine, and they place a high value on love and affection. Nines are often exceptionally gifted artistically, and they have a keen imagination and enterprising mind.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME JAKE

Jake’s height in popularity in the United States is basically bookmarked by the last two centuries. It experienced most of its usage 100 years ago, and then again today through a current revival of the name. Jake actually manages to squeeze into a Top 100 position on the list of most favored boy’s name in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since then, Jake has slipped down the charts a little bit. Jake has always been a pet form of John and Jacob, but American parents are using the name as a stand-alone. Given its nickname origins, Jake is an extremely informal name. It’s one syllable, snappy and strong, for sure; but it’s always an option for parents who secure more traditional names like John or Jacob and then use Jake as a nickname. We recommend parents offer their child that flexibility; what harm could it do? There’s no place else to go with Jake. Then again, therein lies its attraction, perhaps. Just remember, though, Jake Gyllenhaal was born Jacob Benjamin, and the boxer Jake LaMotta made famous in “Raging Bull” was born Giacobbe LaMotta.

Quick Facts

ON JAKE

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

1

RANKING POPULARITY:

166

PRONUNCIATION:

JAYKE

SIMPLE MEANING:

God is gracious, or to supplant

Characteristics

OF JAKE

Multi-talented

Intuitive

Oneness

Idealistic

Philanthropy

Independent

Perfection

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Jake

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME JAKE

Jake Barnes is the protagonist of Ernest Hemmingway’s groundbreaking modernist 1926 novel, The Sun Also Rises. Barnes is an American veteran of World War I working as a journalist in Paris, whose war injuries led to impotence. His love for the sexually liberated, twice divorced Lady Brett Ashley is a love that cannot be consummated, a symbol of frustration in the post war Lost Generation. He is a complex man who knows his life is empty, knows that he drinks too much and wastes away his time in aimless pleasures, but seems “impotent” to do anything about it except ruminate on it. He is a portrait of the generation left untethered by the Great War, the war to end all wars, which instead seemed to put an end to long held standards of duty, justice, morality, and, in short, what it means to be a man.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME JAKE

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Jake


Popular Songs

ON JAKE

Old Jake
a song by Chris LeDoux

Jake
a song by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Get Up, Jake
a song by The Band

Famous People

NAMED JAKE

Jacob Benjamin "Jake" Gyllenhaal (actor)
Giacobbe “Jake” LaMotta (boxer)
Jake Roberts (wrestler aka "Jake the Snake")
Jake Locker (football player)
Jake Long (football player)

Children of Famous People

NAMED JAKE

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Jake

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME JAKE

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Jake