Meaning & History
Jacobine is a Dutch and Norwegian feminine form of the Hebrew name Jacob. The name Jacob originates from the Latin Iacob, derived from Greek Ἰακώβ (Iakob), itself from Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (Yaʿaqov). In the Old Testament, Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebecca and the father of the twelve tribes of Israel; his name is often said to mean "holder of the heel" or "supplanter" because he was born gripping his twin brother Esau's heel and later acquired his birthright.
Etymology and Cultural Significance
Jacobine, along with other feminine forms such as Jacoba and Jacobina, emerged in Dutch- and Norwegian-speaking regions as a parallel to the French Jacqueline. A Dutch diminutive is Coba. The name's usage reflects the spread of biblical names across Europe, particularly after the Protestant Reformation, when Jacob gained popularity as a Christian name.
Notable Bearers
Notable Norwegian bearers include Jacobine Gjertz (1819–1862), a pianist, composer, and writer; Jacobine Susanne Madsen, known as opera singer Ina Madsen (1867–1935); Jacobine Rye (1851–1939), a defence activist and educator; and Jacobine Camilla Wergeland, the birth name of writer Camilla Collett (1813–1895). In the Netherlands, Jacobine Veenhoven (born 1984) is a Dutch rower. Canada also had sculptor Jacobine Jones (1897–1976).
- Meaning: Feminine form of Jacob, meaning "supplanter" or "may God protect"
- Origin: Hebrew, via Latin and Greek
- Usage: Dutch, Norwegian
- Related names: Jacoba, Jacobina, Jacqueline, Coba
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Jacobine