Declining since 2001, #2,167 for boys today.
Popularity of Koby since 1958
Babies named Koby per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 12 |
| 1960s | 54 |
| 1970s | 179 |
| 1980s | 286 |
| 1990s | 1,412 |
| 2000s | 2,562 |
| 2010s | 1,060 |
| 2020s | 473 |
Meaning & origin
Koby is a modern spelling variant of Kobe, which rose to prominence through basketball legend Kobe Bryant. However, the name Koby predates that association, first appearing in U.S. birth records in 1958. It reached its peak popularity in 2001, ranking high among newborn boys in Texas, its top state. Since that peak, its usage has been gradually declining, reflecting a broader trend away from the spelling. While not a classic name, its connection to the enduring Jacob and to the popular Kobe gives it a familiar sound. As of the latest data in 2025, Koby ranked 2,167, with about 1 in 25,880 boys receiving the name.
Koby is a modern English spelling variant of Kobe, which itself is a short form or variant of Jacob. Jacob derives from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov, meaning 'holder of the heel' or 'supplanter,' from the biblical story of Jacob born holding Esau's heel. The name gained popularity in the United States after basketball star Kobe Bryant (1978-2020), though the spelling Koby has been in use since at least the mid-20th century.
Where Koby 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.
“Koby” around the world
Where Koby lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
6
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Koby
Names that share Koby's style, for a brother or sister.
