Koby Boy

Popularity: #872 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

KadenKieranKellanKylieKiraKendall

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.

CodyColbyKadenKieranKellanKory

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Koby was first seen in the United States in 1958.

Koby has ranked as high as #1123 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 66 66 0
2024 78 73 5
2023 72 65 7
2022 87 82 5
2021 91 85 6
2020 109 102 7
2019 85 85 0
2018 98 93 5
2017 97 97 0
2016 106 99 7
2015 109 109 0
2014 91 91 0
2013 114 114 0
2012 105 105 0
2011 130 130 0
2010 137 137 0
2009 155 155 0
2008 187 180 7
2007 178 178 0
2006 165 165 0
2005 162 162 0
2004 197 197 0
2003 335 330 5
2002 384 377 7
2001 415 407 8
2000 419 411 8
1999 363 358 5
1998 320 320 0
1997 196 196 0
1996 116 116 0
1995 83 83 0
1994 68 68 0
1993 69 69 0
1992 66 66 0
1991 71 71 0
1990 65 65 0
1989 54 54 0
1988 51 51 0
1987 52 47 5
1986 21 21 0
1985 35 35 0
1984 20 20 0
1983 17 17 0
1982 10 10 0
1981 11 11 0
1980 20 20 0
1979 27 22 5
1978 17 17 0
1977 13 13 0
1976 27 22 5
1975 22 22 0
1974 23 23 0
1973 16 16 0
1972 12 12 0
1971 20 20 0
1970 12 12 0
1969 9 9 0
1968 7 7 0
1966 5 5 0
1965 11 11 0
1963 6 6 0
1962 11 11 0
1961 5 5 0
1959 5 5 0
1958 7 7 0

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. 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 10
27%
FL 9
24%
NY 7
19%
CA 6
16%
AL 5
14%