Kobe Boy

Popularity: #466 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOH-bee //ˈkoʊ.bi//

Origin: Japanese; English

Meaning: Japanese: to be thankful; English: a variant of Jacob

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Kobe has its roots in the Japanese language, where it is derived from the word "神戸" (Kōbe), which means "God's door" or "door of God." The etymology can be traced back to the Kanji characters used in the name, with "神" (kami) meaning "god" and "戸" (to) meaning "door" or "entrance." The name Kōbe is also associated with the city of Kobe in Japan, which has historical significance as a port city that opened to foreign trade in the 19th century during the Meiji Restoration, marking a period of modernization and cultural exchange in Japan. Historically, the name Kobe has been linked to various cultural and religious contexts in Japan.

The city of Kobe was established as a settlement in the 14th century and has since evolved into a significant urban center. The name itself gained prominence through its association with the city, which became known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and international trade.

Additionally, the name Kobe is sometimes associated with the Japanese word "神戸牛" (Kōbe beef), which refers to a high-quality beef product that has become a symbol of Japanese culinary excellence. In Western contexts, the name Kobe gained additional recognition through the influence of notable figures, such as the late American basketball player Kobe Bryant, who brought the name into global prominence.

The name's cultural resonance is further enhanced by its associations with strength and excellence, reflecting the qualities admired in both sports and broader societal contexts. While diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist, the name Kobe itself carries a distinct identity rooted in its linguistic and cultural origins.

Famous people named Kobe

In this section, you will find notable people named Kobe. 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 Kobe who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Kobe 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.

Kobe Bryant is a basketball player best known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships and earning two Olympic gold medals.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kobe, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

KaiKianKiraLucaMiloNikoRyo

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Kobe was first seen in the United States in 1989.

Kobe has ranked as high as #431 nationally, which occurred in 2020, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Kobe has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Kobe 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 Kobe was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Kobe.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 617 578 39
2024 831 790 41
2023 796 755 41
2022 902 851 51
2021 1,177 1,117 60
2020 1,575 1,518 57
2019 525 507 18
2018 492 481 11
2017 550 533 17
2016 603 583 20
2015 472 465 7
2014 538 524 14
2013 567 553 14
2012 539 526 13
2011 569 555 14
2010 657 645 12
2009 699 687 12
2008 745 730 15
2007 582 573 9
2006 480 469 11
2005 450 444 6
2004 633 625 8
2003 1,228 1,213 15
2002 1,408 1,392 16
2001 1,571 1,552 19
2000 1,457 1,432 25
1999 883 860 23
1998 1,116 1,104 12
1997 363 350 13
1996 87 87 0
1995 9 9 0
1989 5 5 0

Top States for Kobe (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 86
11%
CA 78
10%
FL 42
6%
GA 39
5%
NC 36
5%
OH 34
4%
NY 31
4%
MI 30
4%
PA 25
3%
IL 24
3%
MD 22
3%
SC 22
3%
IN 21
3%
MO 20
3%
WA 19
3%
AL 19
3%
TN 17
2%
VA 16
2%
KY 15
2%
IA 14
2%
WI 14
2%
LA 13
2%
NV 12
2%
NJ 12
2%
MA 11
1%
AZ 11
1%
MS 11
1%
OK 9
1%
CO 9
1%
AR 8
1%
KS 8
1%
WV 7
1%
MN 7
1%
DE 7
1%
HI 5
1%
ID 5
1%