Kobe

Meaning: Not established
Origin: Japanese place name — From the city of Kobe

Boy's name · #519 in the US (2025) · 2020s wave

Popularity over time

Kobe reached its best rank, #222, in 2001 and ranked #519 in 2025. Roughly 23,000 boys have been named Kobe since 1989.

Kobe rose sharply in the late 1990s after Kobe Bryant entered the NBA in 1996. Parents have described choosing the name in his honor.

Across the states

See where Kobe is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 43 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Kobe ranks in other countries and regions.

#154 in New Zealand (2025) · #158 in Belgium (2025) · #344 in N. Ireland (2025) · #372 in England & Wales (2025) · #410 in Netherlands (2025) · #432 in Ireland (2025) · #560 in Scotland (2025) · #782 in Canada (2025) · #2,302 in Switzerland (2025) · #4,971 in France (2025) · #5,660 in Ecuador (2025) · #2,735 in Austria (2024) and 2 more.

Famous Kobes

Kobe Bryant — American basketball player (1978–2020)
Kobe Bufkin — American basketball player (born 2003)
Kobe Brown — American basketball player (born 2000)
Kobe Sanders — American basketball player (born 2002)
Kobe McDonald — Mayo and Crossmolina Deel Rovers Gaelic footballer (born 2007)

In stories & tradition

Kobe Dierckx^nl — Familie (TV series)
Kobe — One Piece (manga)

What Kobes become

Among 96 notable people named Kobe:

Sports figures appear 3.21× more often than among typical names — e.g. Kobe Bryant, American basketball player (1978–2020).

Similar names: Ronin · Coby · Abe · Jiraiya · Kannon · Sage

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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