Kobe Unisex
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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kobe was first seen in the United States in 1989.
Kobe has ranked as high as #406 nationally, which occurred in 2001, 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.
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. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 81 | |
| CA | 78 | |
| FL | 42 | |
| GA | 39 | |
| NC | 36 | |
| OH | 34 | |
| NY | 31 | |
| MI | 30 | |
| PA | 25 | |
| IL | 24 | |
| MD | 22 | |
| SC | 22 | |
| IN | 21 | |
| MO | 20 | |
| WA | 19 |
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 | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 787 |
| 2023 | 755 |
| 2022 | 851 |
| 2021 | 1,116 |
| 2020 | 1,515 |
| 2019 | 506 |
| 2018 | 481 |
| 2017 | 533 |
| 2016 | 583 |
| 2015 | 465 |
| 2014 | 522 |
| 2013 | 552 |
| 2012 | 526 |
| 2011 | 554 |
| 2010 | 645 |
| 2009 | 687 |
| 2008 | 730 |
| 2007 | 573 |
| 2006 | 469 |
| 2005 | 444 |
| 2004 | 625 |
| 2003 | 1,213 |
| 2002 | 1,392 |
| 2001 | 1,552 |
| 2000 | 1,432 |
| 1999 | 860 |
| 1998 | 1,104 |
| 1997 | 350 |
| 1996 | 87 |
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1989 | 5 |