EtymologyYakiv is the Ukrainian form of Jacob (or James), deriving from the Latin Iacob, which came from the Greek Ἰακώβ (Iakob), and ultimately from the Hebrew name יַעֲקֹב (Yaʿaqov). In the Old Testament, Jacob (later called Israel) is the son of Isaac and Rebecca, born holding his twin brother Esau's heel; thus the name is traditionally interpreted as "holder of the heel" or "supplanter", after Jacob's acquisition of his brother's birthright (see Genesis 27:36). Other scholars propose a derivation from a hypothetical form יַעֲקֹבְאֵל (Yaʿaqovʾel) meaning "may God protect".