Akiva
Akiva is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Supplanter or protected by God.
Origin and history
Akiva is a classic Hebrew male name derived from the same root as Jacob. It is traditionally associated with the revered 1st-century sage Rabbi Akiva. In the United States, it remains a distinctive, culturally resonant name with a steady presence in Jewish communities.
Popularity in the United States
2,794 babies in the United States have been named Akiva since 1880. It ranks #2447 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1241.
States where it is most popular
- NY (60.7 %)
- NJ (24.6 %)
- CA (6.1 %)
- MD (5.7 %)
- FL (1.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 11 |
| 1970-1980 | 125 |
| 1980-1990 | 177 |
| 1990-2000 | 329 |
| 2000-2010 | 583 |
| 2010-2019 | 835 |
| 2020-2029 | 734 |
Famous people named Akiva
- Akiva Schaffer: Director, Comedian
- Akiva Goldsman: Screenwriter, Producer
Fun facts
- Akiva shares the same ancient Semitic root as the name Jacob, both linking to the concept of heel or supplanting.
- The name honors Rabbi Akiva ben Joseph, a leading scholar and martyr of the late 1st and early 2nd centuries.