US Popularity Rank: 2508

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Supplanter; Holder of the heel; One who follows

A fresh, fun take on the Hebrew Jacob, Jacoby is a boy's name whose youthful sound does little to quell its strong roots. Derived from the Hebrew Ya’aqov—itself formed from the word 'aqab, "at the heel"—Jacoby means "supplanter" or “holder of the heel.” It's a translation that speaks to the biblical Jacob, who was born clutching the heel of his twin brother and thereby stealing Esau's claim to first-born status. Jacob's reputation adds a cunning edge to Jacoby, but its origin reveals a more amenable side. The Hebrew root qb, which also forms Jacoby's foundations, can also mean "one who follows." Whether young Jacoby chooses to fall in line or lead the way, they will always be irreplaceable in your eyes.