Koby Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOH-bee //ˈkoʊ.bi//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'supplanter'; English: diminutive of Jacob
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Koby is derived from the Hebrew name "Ya'akov," which translates to "supplanter" or "holder of the heel." This name has its roots in the biblical figure Jacob, who is a significant character in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Genesis. The name Ya'akov was later rendered in Greek as "Iakobos" and subsequently in Latin as "Jacobus." The transition into Old French produced the name "Jacques," which eventually influenced the English form "James." Koby can be seen as a modern diminutive or variant of these traditional names, reflecting a trend in contemporary naming practices that favor shorter, more informal versions of longer names.
Historically, Jacob is a pivotal figure in Judeo-Christian tradition, known for his role as a patriarch of the Israelites. His story, including the famous account of wrestling with an angel, has been a subject of theological discussion and artistic representation throughout the centuries.
The name Jacob has been borne by numerous saints and kings, further embedding it into the cultural and religious fabric of various societies. The King James Bible, published in 1611, also contributed to the enduring legacy of the name Jacob, as it popularized biblical narratives in the English-speaking world.
Culturally, the name Koby, while modern, retains the historical and symbolic significance associated with its roots. Names derived from biblical figures often carry connotations of strength, resilience, and moral complexity, which resonate across generations.
The use of Koby as a diminutive form reflects a broader cultural trend towards personalization and familiarity in naming conventions, allowing for a connection to the rich history of its etymological predecessors while establishing its own identity.
Famous people named Koby
In this section, you will find notable people named Koby. 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 Koby who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Koby 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.
Koby Bryant is a former professional 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 Koby, 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 Koby. 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 Koby was first seen in the United States in 1958.
Koby has ranked as high as #891 nationally, which occurred in 2000, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Koby has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Koby 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 Koby was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Koby (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 | 10 | |
| FL | 9 | |
| NY | 7 | |
| CA | 6 | |
| AL | 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 Koby.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 73 |
| 2023 | 65 |
| 2022 | 82 |
| 2021 | 85 |
| 2020 | 101 |
| 2019 | 85 |
| 2018 | 91 |
| 2017 | 97 |
| 2016 | 99 |
| 2015 | 109 |
| 2014 | 91 |
| 2013 | 114 |
| 2012 | 105 |
| 2011 | 130 |
| 2010 | 137 |
| 2009 | 155 |
| 2008 | 180 |
| 2007 | 178 |
| 2006 | 165 |
| 2005 | 162 |
| 2004 | 197 |
| 2003 | 330 |
| 2002 | 377 |
| 2001 | 407 |
| 2000 | 411 |
| 1999 | 358 |
| 1998 | 320 |
| 1997 | 196 |
| 1996 | 116 |
| 1995 | 83 |
| 1994 | 68 |
| 1993 | 69 |
| 1992 | 66 |
| 1991 | 71 |
| 1990 | 65 |
| 1989 | 54 |
| 1988 | 51 |
| 1987 | 47 |
| 1986 | 21 |
| 1985 | 35 |
| 1984 | 20 |
| 1983 | 17 |
| 1982 | 10 |
| 1981 | 11 |
| 1980 | 20 |
| 1979 | 22 |
| 1978 | 17 |
| 1977 | 13 |
| 1976 | 22 |
| 1975 | 22 |
| 1974 | 23 |
| 1973 | 16 |
| 1972 | 12 |
| 1971 | 20 |
| 1970 | 12 |
| 1969 | 9 |
| 1968 | 7 |
| 1966 | 5 |
| 1965 | 11 |
| 1963 | 6 |
| 1962 | 11 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1959 | 5 |
| 1958 | 7 |