The etymology of this name is almost unknown, and it's the same one of the name Giacobbe which derives from the Greek Iakobos and from the Latin Iacōbus with the probable meaning of “God has protected”. In the Genesis it is the name of the son of Isacco and Rebecca, born in a twin delivery after the brother Esaù, and generally it is interpreted like deriving from aqebh “heel” (because Giacobbe was born tightening with his hand the heel of the brother) or also from aqab “supplanting” (because he was born before Esau). Most likely it derives from the aramaic Jaakob which means "follower of God". The Hebrew use the form Giacobbe.