Hoby

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Hoby

Pronounced HOH-bee /ˈhoʊ.bi/Medium

Meaning: Hoby is a spelling of Hobie, the pet form of Hobart (also Hobard), a medieval English development of Hubert, from Germanic 'hug' + 'beraht', 'mind' and 'bright' - so 'bright mind'. The meaning descends from Hubert.Low

In 30 seconds: Hoby is a friendly short form tied to Hobart, ultimately from Hubert, 'bright mind'. A rare, casual boys' name, it peaked faintly around 1958 (said 'HOH-bee').

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Origin LowGermanic, English

MeaningHoby is a spelling of Hobie, the pet form of Hobart (also Hobard), a medieval English development of Hubert, from Germanic 'hug' + 'beraht', 'mind' and 'bright' - so 'bright mind'. The meaning descends from Hubert.

U.S. rank (1990)#8626 ↘ Falling

1990 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1958

Total births (all-time)≈ 85

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Hoby is a spelling of Hobie, a diminutive of Hobart - a medieval English form of Hubert, from the Germanic elements hug, 'mind', and beraht, 'bright'. The pet form was occasionally given as a full name, and Hoby is one of its casual spellings.

Hoby was always very rare, borne by only a handful of boys a year at a faint peak around 1958 and scattered use since. It sits beside Hobie, Hobey, and the fuller Hobart.

Did you know? Hoby and Hobie reached many families through the Hobie Cat sailboats and their inventor Hobie Alter, whose own name was short for Hobart.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Hoby / Hobart — pet form of Hobart, from Hubert 'bright mind'

Variations

HobieHobeyHobartHoban

Nicknames

HobHobs

Famous Bearers

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If you like Hoby…

Hobie— the standard spelling of the same nickname

Toby— a rhyming short boys' name of similar warmth

Coby— another casual -oby pet name

Hobart— the full name Hoby shortens

Explore names like Hoby

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Hoby mean?

Hoby is a spelling of Hobie, the pet form of Hobart, from Hubert meaning 'bright mind'.

How do you pronounce Hoby?

It's said HOH-bee /ˈhoʊ.bi/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Hoby a boy or girl name?

Hoby is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Hoby?

Hoby is very rare, a casual short form linked to Hobart.