The name Jake is of English origin and it's a diminutive form of the name Jacob. It means "held by the heel," which is derived from the Hebrew word "akev." In the Bible, Jacob was the younger twin brother of Esau who was born holding onto his brother's heel. Despite its biblical origins, Jake has become a popular given name in recent years and it's often used independently of the full form Jacob.
The name Jake has been around for centuries but it gained significant popularity during the 20th century. It was particularly popular among parents in the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s, with its peak popularity occurring in the year 2000 when it ranked as the 35th most popular name for boys.
Today, Jake continues to be a common name worldwide. It's often favored by parents who want their child to have a name that is traditional yet informal and approachable. Some notable people with the name Jake include actor Jake Gyllenhaal, musician Jake Bugg, and former US president Andrew Jackson (who was known as Jake throughout his life).
The name Jake has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past century, with a total of 217 recorded births since 1917. The highest number of babies named Jake was born in 2004, with 14 births that year alone. Interestingly, there were also two other years where 13 babies named Jake were born: 1988 and 2009.
The popularity of the name Jake has varied over time. In the early part of the century, it was relatively uncommon, with only 7 births recorded in both 1917 and 2000. However, from the late 1980s onwards, there was a noticeable increase in its usage as a baby name, peaking in the mid-1990s to early 2000s.
It is also worth noting that while Jake has been consistently more popular among parents in recent decades, it does not appear to have been quite as favored during the earlier years. For instance, there were no recorded births of the name Jake between 1987 and 1989, indicating a period of decline before its resurgence.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate how the popularity of the name Jake has ebbed and flowed over time in the United States, with several notable peaks and troughs throughout the century. Despite this variability, however, it remains a well-loved choice for parents nationwide.