Coby Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOH-bee //ˈkoʊ.bi//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'supplanter'; English: diminutive of Jacob
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Coby is derived from the Hebrew name "Ya'akov," which translates to "supplanter" or "holder of the heel." The name Ya'akov evolved into the Greek form "Iakobos," which was later adapted into Latin as "Jacobus." This Latin form influenced various languages, leading to the Old French "Jacques," which eventually made its way into English as "James." Coby is often considered a diminutive or variant of Jacob, reflecting a linguistic evolution that retains the original meaning while adapting to different cultural contexts. Historically, the name Jacob is significant in biblical texts, notably as the name of one of the patriarchs in the Hebrew Bible, who is a central figure in the Book of Genesis.
Jacob's story, including his struggle with an angel and his eventual renaming to Israel, has had a profound impact on Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. The name has been borne by numerous saints and notable figures throughout history, contributing to its enduring legacy.
In the context of English literature, the name Jacob appears in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version published in 1611, further solidifying its presence in Western culture. Coby, as a derivative of Jacob, carries with it the weight of these historical and cultural associations.
The name evokes themes of resilience and transformation, reflecting the biblical Jacob's journey from supplanter to patriarch. In addition to its biblical roots, Coby has been embraced in various cultures, often symbolizing strength and tenacity.
The name's adaptability and connection to a significant biblical narrative have helped maintain its relevance across generations, allowing it to resonate within different cultural frameworks.
Famous people named Coby
In this section, you will find notable people named Coby. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Coby who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Coby who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Coby Bryant is a former professional basketball player best known for his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships and earning two Olympic gold medals.
Coby Bell is an actor best known for his roles in 24, Third Watch, and The Gifted.
Coby Karl is a former professional basketball player best known for playing in the NBA and for his time with the Idaho Stampede.
Fictional characters named Coby
The following list of fictional characters named Coby is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Coby is a fictional character from the manga and anime series One Piece. He is a young marine who aspires to become a strong and honorable officer in the Navy.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Coby, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Coby. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Coby was first seen in the United States in 1941.
Coby has ranked as high as #815 nationally, which occurred in 2001, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Louisiana, Florida, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Coby has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Coby is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Coby was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Coby (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NC | 10 | |
| TX | 8 | |
| CA | 8 | |
| FL | 8 | |
| IL | 7 | |
| TN | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Coby.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 108 |
| 2023 | 119 |
| 2022 | 115 |
| 2021 | 133 |
| 2020 | 136 |
| 2019 | 137 |
| 2018 | 113 |
| 2017 | 105 |
| 2016 | 119 |
| 2015 | 125 |
| 2014 | 159 |
| 2013 | 149 |
| 2012 | 155 |
| 2011 | 169 |
| 2010 | 179 |
| 2009 | 193 |
| 2008 | 258 |
| 2007 | 236 |
| 2006 | 246 |
| 2005 | 256 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2003 | 394 |
| 2002 | 462 |
| 2001 | 516 |
| 2000 | 415 |
| 1999 | 330 |
| 1998 | 340 |
| 1997 | 219 |
| 1996 | 210 |
| 1995 | 174 |
| 1994 | 148 |
| 1993 | 137 |
| 1992 | 144 |
| 1991 | 126 |
| 1990 | 115 |
| 1989 | 109 |
| 1988 | 112 |
| 1987 | 92 |
| 1986 | 86 |
| 1985 | 91 |
| 1984 | 80 |
| 1983 | 79 |
| 1982 | 74 |
| 1981 | 75 |
| 1980 | 84 |
| 1979 | 100 |
| 1978 | 110 |
| 1977 | 90 |
| 1976 | 117 |
| 1975 | 95 |
| 1974 | 107 |
| 1973 | 94 |
| 1972 | 75 |
| 1971 | 77 |
| 1970 | 65 |
| 1969 | 55 |
| 1968 | 24 |
| 1967 | 32 |
| 1966 | 25 |
| 1965 | 23 |
| 1964 | 30 |
| 1963 | 21 |
| 1962 | 12 |
| 1961 | 19 |
| 1960 | 15 |
| 1959 | 23 |
| 1958 | 14 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1956 | 8 |
| 1955 | 12 |
| 1954 | 5 |
| 1953 | 6 |
| 1952 | 6 |
| 1950 | 7 |
| 1949 | 7 |
| 1948 | 5 |
| 1946 | 8 |
| 1941 | 7 |