Jacobus is a name of Latin origin, derived from the word "Iacobus," which was used to refer to James in medieval Latin texts. The name James itself comes from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning "supplanter" or "held by the heel." This name has a significant biblical history, as it was borne by two important figures: Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebecca in the Old Testament, who was born holding onto his twin brother Esau's heel; and James, one of the Twelve Apostles and the brother of Jesus Christ.
The name Jacobus became popular among Christians during the Middle Ages due to its biblical connections. It was often used as a given name but also served as a surname, particularly in countries with large Catholic populations like France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal.
One notable figure named Jacobus is Saint James the Greater, one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles. He is believed to have been the first apostle to be martyred and his relics are said to be enshrined at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. This has made him the patron saint of pilgrims, leading to the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
Over time, variations of the name Jacobus have been used in different languages and cultures. In French, it became Jacques; in Spanish, Jaime or Diego; in Italian, Giacomo; and in English, James. Despite these variations, all these names share a common root and history.
In conclusion, Jacobus is an ancient name with significant historical and biblical roots. Its meaning, "supplanter" or "held by the heel," is deeply rooted in religious narratives. Today, this name continues to be popular among Christians worldwide, paying homage to its rich past.
The name Jacobus has been consistently popular among parents in the United States over the past four decades, with a total of 131 babies given this name since 1979.
The name's popularity has shown some fluctuations over time, but it has remained relatively stable. In the early years, there were fewer than ten births per year with the name Jacobus, with six births in 1979 and five births each in 1981, 1985, and 1988.
However, from the mid-1990s onwards, the popularity of the name began to increase. There were eight births in both 1997 and 2010, and six births in 1999 and 2001. The years 2002 and 2008 also saw eight babies named Jacobus.
More recently, the popularity of the name has stabilized at around five births per year, with this number recorded in each of the past four years (2017-2021).
Overall, these statistics show that while the name Jacobus may not be among the most popular choices for parents in the United States, it has maintained a consistent level of popularity over time.