Kobe
Gender: Mostly Boy
Meaning: Supplanter or tortoise
Origin: Japanese/Hebrew
Popularity: Ranked #519 in 2025 with 578 babies born.
History: Kobe is both a Japanese city name and a variant of Jacob, from the Hebrew 'Ya'akov,' meaning supplanter. In Japanese, it may also be written with characters meaning tortoise or harbor. The name is overwhelmingly associated in the Western world with basketball legend Kobe Bryant, whose parents named him after a style of beef they saw on a restaurant menu in Pennsylvania. Following Bryant's death in 2020, the name surged in tribute.
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Kobe? About 1 in 5,395 babies born in 2025 were named Kobe, or roughly 1.7 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Kobe
What does the name Kobe mean?
Kobe means “Supplanter or tortoise” from Japanese/Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Kobe?
Kobe has Japanese/Hebrew origin. The traditional meaning is “Supplanter or tortoise”.
How popular is Kobe?
Kobe ranked #518 in 2025 — given to 578 babies that year.
When was Kobe most popular?
Kobe peaked in 2001 with 1,552 babies registered that year.
Is Kobe a boy or girl name?
Kobe is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Kobes in registered births are male.
Is the name Kobe rising or falling in popularity?
Kobe has risen 2353 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #2871 in 2020 to #518 in 2025.
How long has Kobe been recorded?
Kobe appears in birth records across 32 years — from 1989 through 2025.