Declining since 2001, #1,867 for boys today.
Popularity of Coby since 1941
Babies named Coby per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 27 |
| 1950s | 86 |
| 1960s | 256 |
| 1970s | 929 |
| 1980s | 881 |
| 1990s | 1,943 |
| 2000s | 3,252 |
| 2010s | 1,411 |
| 2020s | 699 |
Meaning & origin
Coby first entered the U.S. naming records in 1941 and saw its peak of popularity in 2001. Since then, its usage has been falling, and by 2025 it ranked 1867th with just 1 in 20,334 boys receiving the name. It remains most common in Colorado, Georgia, and New York, reflecting its broad regional appeal. Coby functions as a modern, casual variant of the classic Jacob, offering a shorter, more energetic alternative.
Coby is a diminutive of Jacob, which originates from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov, meaning 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.' The name Jacob has deep roots in the Old Testament as the patriarch who wrestled with an angel and was renamed Israel. Coby emerged as an independent given name in the United States during the mid-20th century, gaining popularity as a friendly, approachable alternative to the formal Jacob.
Where Coby is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Coby” around the world
Where Coby lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cob
Sibling names for Coby
Names that share Coby's style, for a brother or sister.
