Kobe

♀ Girl

Pronounced KOH-bee /ˈkoʊ.bi/High

Meaning: From Jacob, 'supplanter, holder of the heel' (Hebrew Yaakov); also the Japanese port city Kobe; used for girlsMedium

In 30 seconds: A Jacob nickname and a Japanese port in one: Kobe links to 'supplanter' through Jacob, and to the famous city (and its beef). Sporty, snappy, and crossing to girls.

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Origin MediumHebrew, Japanese

MeaningFrom Jacob, 'supplanter, holder of the heel' (Hebrew Yaakov); also the Japanese port city Kobe; used for girls

U.S. rank (2025)#3808 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births39 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 613

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

Kobe connects to Jacob — Hebrew Yaakov, 'supplanter, holder of the heel' — as a short form (compare Koby), and independently to the Japanese port city of Kobe. Made famous by Kobe Bryant, it crosses to girls in modern American naming.

It registers thinly for girls in recent records. Rare for daughters, multi-rooted, and sporty-modern.

Did you know? The basketball legend Kobe Bryant was named after Kobe beef, from the Japanese city — so the name travels from Hebrew Jacob to a Japanese port to the NBA hall of fame.

Overall data confidence 70%

Behind the Name — Jacob — root background

Variations

KobyKobiCoby

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kobe…

Kobi— a sister spelling of the same name

Kai— the companion crisp unisex pick

Remi— another sporty crossover favorite

Keila— the same modern feel

Dana— another unisex pick

Explore names like Kobe

By thememodern hebrew unisex japanese

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kobe mean?

Kobe links to Jacob, 'supplanter', and to the Japanese port city of Kobe.

How do you pronounce Kobe?

It's said KOH-bee /ˈkoʊ.bi/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kobe a boy or girl name?

Kobe is mainly a boys' name; this page covers its use for girls.

How popular is Kobe?

Kobe is a rare name for girls in the U.S.