Jake
Originally a medieval variant of Jack; today also used as a diminutive form of Jacob and James.
Every Jake since 1880 — 129,539 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Jake
Jake is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #457 in 2025 with 682 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 129,539 American babies have been named Jake. Its peak came in 2004, when 4,487 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Jake stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Jake year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 682 | #457 |
| 2024 | — | — | 748 | #421 |
| 2023 | — | — | 782 | #410 |
| 2022 | — | — | 790 | #406 |
| 2021 | — | — | 969 | #337 |
| 2020 | — | — | 1,036 | #320 |
| 2019 | — | — | 1,175 | #295 |
| 2018 | — | — | 1,379 | #263 |
| 2017 | — | — | 1,503 | #249 |
| 2016 | 5 | #17,308 | 1,586 | #242 |
| 2015 | — | — | 1,922 | #207 |
| 2014 | — | — | 2,171 | #190 |
| 2013 | — | — | 2,450 | #166 |
| 2012 | 6 | #15,748 | 2,679 | #153 |
| 2011 | — | — | 3,110 | #129 |
| 2010 | — | — | 3,440 | #115 |
| 2009 | 10 | #10,986 | 3,386 | #125 |
| 2008 | 5 | #18,672 | 3,795 | #111 |
| 2007 | — | — | 3,882 | #112 |
| 2006 | 11 | #10,185 | 4,028 | #108 |
| 2005 | — | — | 4,153 | #103 |
| 2004 | 14 | #7,987 | 4,473 | #98 |
| 2003 | 10 | #9,972 | 4,406 | #98 |
| 2002 | — | — | 3,792 | #102 |
| 2001 | 6 | #14,226 | 3,838 | #100 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,315 | 4,091 | #96 |
| 1995 | 9 | #9,047 | 3,509 | #108 |
| 1990 | 10 | #8,114 | 2,227 | #140 |
| 1985 | 5 | #11,310 | 1,071 | #221 |
| 1980 | — | — | 567 | #332 |
| 1975 | — | — | 334 | #429 |
| 1970 | — | — | 153 | #662 |
| 1965 | — | — | 144 | #632 |
| 1960 | — | — | 155 | #626 |
| 1955 | — | — | 141 | #626 |
| 1950 | — | — | 192 | #485 |
| 1945 | — | — | 165 | #463 |
| 1940 | — | — | 177 | #435 |
| 1935 | — | — | 179 | #411 |
| 1930 | — | — | 221 | #382 |
| 1925 | — | — | 306 | #330 |
| 1920 | — | — | 362 | #296 |
| 1915 | — | — | 355 | #254 |
| 1910 | — | — | 148 | #184 |
| 1905 | — | — | 92 | #193 |
| 1900 | — | — | 121 | #172 |
| 1895 | — | — | 91 | #172 |
| 1890 | — | — | 72 | #188 |
| 1885 | — | — | 100 | #135 |
| 1880 | — | — | 96 | #141 |
Famous people named Jake
- Jake LaMotta Boxer · 1922–2017
- Jake Gyllenhaal Actor · b. 1980
- Jake Weber Actor · b. 1963
- Jake E. Lee Musician · b. 1957
- Jake Roberts Wrestler · b. 1955
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jake mean?
Originally a medieval variant of Jack; today also used as a diminutive form of Jacob and James.
How popular is the name Jake in 2025?
Jake ranked #457 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 682 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Jake?
129,539 babies have been named Jake in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Jake most popular?
Jake peaked in 2004, when 4,487 newborns received the name.
Is Jake a boy or girl name?
Jake is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Jake rising or falling?
Jake is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Jake?
Well-known people named Jake include Jake LaMotta (boxer), Jake Gyllenhaal (actor), Jake Weber (actor).