Jake is a short form of Jacob, the Hebrew name that means "supplanter" or "holder of the heel", after the biblical patriarch who was born grasping his twin Esau's heel. In the Middle Ages Jake also served as a form of John; today it stands on its own, familiar from actor Jake Gyllenhaal. Jake was a top 100 name in 2000 at number 96, but it has slipped year after year and ranks number 457 in 2025.