"supplanter, may God protect"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Kobi
Does Kobi flow with your last name?
Hebrew heritage meets basketball legend
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Israeli
English
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"born on Tuesday (Akan day name)"
Origin: Akan (Ghanaian)
Language: Akan
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Kobe Bryant (NBA star who died in 2020 helicopter crash) — evokes both athletic greatness and tragedy depending on context
The Story of Kobi
Kobi is a Hebrew name, a short form of Yaakov (Jacob), meaning one who supplants or may follow at the heel. It shares roots with the biblical patriarch Jacob. Kobi is also used in Israel and among Jewish communities as an independent given name. In Ghana and other parts of West Africa, Kobi/Koby is a form of the Akan day name for a boy born on a Tuesday.
Kobi gained traction in the US during the 1990s-2000s alongside the rise of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. The alternative spelling Kobi allows parents to honor the association while creating a slightly different identity. After Bryant's death in 2020, many parents chose this spelling as a tribute.
In Israel, Kobi is a common informal nickname for boys named Yaakov (Jacob). In Akan tradition in Ghana, it carries the meaning of a child born on a specific day. In America, the name is indelibly linked to basketball greatness.
Historical Record
Kobi first appeared in US Social Security records in 1970.
Over 1,911 babies have been named Kobi in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kobi is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,679 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Akan naming traditions from Ghana, Kobi is a day name given to boys born on Tuesday
- Kobe/Kobi Bryant was named after a type of beef (Kobe beef) his parents saw on a restaurant menu before he was born
Kobi in Other Languages
Arabic
كوبي
Hebrew
קובי
Spanish
Kobi
Japanese
コービー
Popularity Over Time
#1,679
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kobi
K
Kobi Marimi
Musician
1993
Israeli singer who represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019
K
Kobe Bryant
Athlete
1978
NBA legend who won 5 championships with the LA Lakers, considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,679
- Total SSA Count
- 100
- Cultural Origins
- American Israeli English African
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ko
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kobi
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Kobi is also used as a girl name, ranked #2642.
View Kobi as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kobi
What does the name Kobi mean?
"supplanter, may God protect" (from Hebrew). "born on Tuesday (Akan day name)" (from Akan (Ghanaian)). Kobi is a Hebrew name, a short form of Yaakov (Jacob), meaning one who supplants or may follow at the heel. It shares roots with the biblical patriarch Jacob. Kobi is also used in Israel and among Jewish communities as an independent given name. In Ghana and other parts of West Africa, Kobi/Koby is a form of the Akan day name for a boy born on a Tuesday.
What is the origin of the name Kobi?
Kobi has Hebrew, Akan (Ghanaian), American, Israeli, English, and African origins. In Hebrew, it means "supplanter, may God protect". In Akan (Ghanaian), it means "born on Tuesday (Akan day name)".
Is Kobi a boy or girl name?
Kobi is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1679. As a girl name, it is ranked #2642. Kobi is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Kobi?
Kobi is currently ranked #1679 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Kobi?
Popular middle name pairings include Kobi James, Kobi Lee, Kobi Dean, Kobi Cole, Kobi Ray, and Kobi Alexander.
What are good sibling names for Kobi?
Names that pair well with Kobi as siblings include Levi, Eli, Zion, Nico, Kai, Mia, and Layla.
How many syllables does Kobi have?
Kobi has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kobi a common or rare name?
Kobi is an uncommon name, ranked #1679 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Kobi?
About the Name Kobi
Kobi is a boy name with American, Israeli, English, and African origins . The name means "supplanter, may God protect" in Hebrew .
Is Kobi a boy or girl name? Kobi is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,679 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,642. Kobi is more commonly used as a boy name.
Kobi is currently ranked #1,679 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Kobi has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kobi include Ko. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kobi include Kobe, Koby, Kobie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis