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Home › Baby Names Directory › Hobbes

Hobbes

♂ Boy

Pronounced HOBZ /ˈhɒbz/High

Meaning: From the English surname Hobbes, a patronymic meaning 'son of Robert' (Hob was a medieval pet form of Robert). Famous through philosopher Thomas Hobbes and the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. We note the honest cultural echoes.Low

In 30 seconds: A one-beat surname-name: Hobbes means 'son of Robert' (said 'HOBZ'). It carries a literary and comic-strip shine.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English surname Hobbes, a patronymic meaning 'son of Robert' (Hob was a medieval pet form of Robert). Famous through philosopher Thomas Hobbes and the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. We note the honest cultural echoes.
U.S. rank (2024)#12951 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 60

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201520112024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Hobbes is an English surname meaning 'son of Robert,' from Hob, a medieval pet form of Robert. Its cultural weight comes from the philosopher Thomas Hobbes and the beloved comic Calvin and Hobbes — echoes we note honestly. As a first name it reads crisp and characterful (said 'HOBZ').

As a given name it is very rare in the U.S. Rare, surname-style, and distinctive.

Did you know? Hobbes began as 'son of Robert' — Hob was a medieval nickname for Robert. It rings with philosopher Thomas Hobbes and the tiger from Calvin and Hobbes, which we note (said 'HOBZ').
Overall data confidence 45%
References — Hobbes — English surname 'son of Robert'; Thomas Hobbes; Calvin and Hobbes

Variations

HobbsHobb

Nicknames

HobBee

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Hobbes…

Wilkes— a like short surname-name
Banks— a like one-beat surname pick
Holmes— lands in the same popularity range
Reaves— shares the -es ending
Eames— shares Hobbes's English roots

Explore names like Hobbes

By themevintagesurnameliterarydistinctive
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Frequently Asked

What does the name Hobbes mean?

Hobbes is an English surname meaning 'son of Robert,' from Hob, a medieval pet form of Robert.

How do you pronounce Hobbes?

It's said HOBZ /ˈhɒbz/ — one syllable.

Is Hobbes a boy or girl name?

Hobbes is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Hobbes?

Hobbes is a very rare given name in the U.S.

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