"supplanter, one who replaces another"
Coby
Pronunciation: [ k-OHB-ee ]
A modern, energetic spin on the classic Jacob
Meaning & Origin
"held by the heel (biblical reference)"
The Story of Coby
Coby is an informal variant of Jacob or Jacoby, ultimately derived from the Hebrew Yaakov meaning supplanter or one who holds by the heel, a reference to the biblical story of Jacob grasping Esau's heel at birth. The spelling Coby gives it a fresher, more modern feel while retaining the familiar Cob sound shared with Cody and Kobe.
Coby gained traction in the 1990s and 2000s alongside similar informal boy names like Cody and Colby. The phonetic similarity to Kobe, as in basketball legend Kobe Bryant, gave it an additional boost in sports-loving communities.
As an informal, laid-back name, Coby fits the American tradition of giving children approachable, casual names that feel friendly from childhood through adulthood. It is particularly popular in the American South and rural West.
Fun Facts
- Jacob names have been popular in one form or another for over 3,000 years across multiple civilizations
- Coby White is an NBA player for the Chicago Bulls, giving the name modern sports recognition
Coby in Other Languages
Famous People Named Coby
Coby White
Athlete
2000
American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls, known for his scoring ability and shooting
Coby Bell
Actor
1975
American actor known for his roles in Third Watch and The Game
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,590
- Total SSA Count
- 108
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Coby is also used as a girl name, ranked #28344.
View Coby as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Coby
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About the Name Coby
Coby is a boy name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "supplanter, one who replaces another" in Hebrew .
Is Coby a boy or girl name? Coby is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,590 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #28,344. Coby is more commonly used as a boy name.
Coby is currently ranked #1,590 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Coby has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-OHB-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Coby include Cobe. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Coby include Cobe . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.