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    The first name Job

    A boy’s name from Hebrew meaning “to be an enemy”, “enemy”.

    Pronounced /d͡ʒoʊb/ 1 syllable Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Hebrew origin

    Job means “to be an enemy”, “enemy” in Hebrew.

    From Latin Iob, from Ancient Greek Ἰώβ (Iṓb), from Biblical Hebrew אִיּוֹב (ʾiyyōḇ), related to אָיַב (ʾāyaḇ, “to be an enemy”) and אוֹיֵב (ʾōyēḇ, “enemy”).

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    Job last appeared in the official list in 2022, given to 4 boys. It peaked in 1999, with 8 births (#1,505).

    0510 1996200020052010201520202025
    91
    babies named Job, 1996–2025
    #4,001
    rank in 2022
    1999
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Job with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Job at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 49 boys born in the United States were named Job, the 2,659th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2004, when 89 were.

    04590 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    3,399
    babies named Job since 1880
    #2,659
    rank in 2025
    2004
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Job

    7 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Job Cohen
      Dutch politician, born 1947
    • Job Adriaenszoon Berckheyde
      Dutch painter (1630–1693)
    • Job Getcha
      Eastern Orthodox archbishop, born 1974
    • Job Charnock
      British businessman, 1630–1692
    • Job Bicknell Ellis
      American mycologist (1829–1905)
    • Job de Ruiter
      Dutch politician (1930-2015)
    • Job Kienhuis
      Dutch swimmer, born 1989

    More Hebrew boys’ names

    All 346 names of Hebrew origin

    Questions

    What does the name Job mean?
    Job means “to be an enemy”, “enemy” in Hebrew.
    What is the origin of the name Job?
    From Latin Iob, from Ancient Greek Ἰώβ (Iṓb), from Biblical Hebrew אִיּוֹב (ʾiyyōḇ), related to אָיַב (ʾāyaḇ, “to be an enemy”) and אוֹיֵב (ʾōyēḇ, “enemy”).
    How popular is the name Job?
    In 2022, 4 boys born in England and Wales were named Job, ranking 4,001st. Its peak was 1999, with 8 births.
    Is Job a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 3,399 US babies named Job since 1880 were boys.
    When was Job most popular?
    2004 in the United States, when 89 babies were named Job, its highest rank at 1,510th.
    How do you pronounce Job?
    Job is /d͡ʒoʊb/, one syllable.
    Is Job also a surname?
    Yes. Job is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.