"supplanter"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Kobi
Does Kobi flow with your last name?
A fresh Hebrew-rooted name crossing gender lines
Israeli
English
African American
Modern
Playful
Unique
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"to follow at the heel"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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Things to Know About This Name
- Shares sound with Kobe Bryant (basketball legend, deceased 2020) - generally positive but some parents may wish to avoid the association
The Story of Kobi
Kobi is a variant of Coby or Koby, an affectionate diminutive of the Hebrew name Jacob (Yaakov), meaning supplanter or he who follows at the heel. In Israeli culture, Kobi is a beloved everyday nickname for boys named Yaakov. As a girl's name in Western countries, it represents the growing gender-neutral naming trend of the 2010s-2020s.
The name gained wider attention partly through basketball star Kobe Bryant, though his spelling differs. As a girl's name, Kobi reflects the growing trend of traditionally masculine names being adopted for girls, fitting alongside Bo, Arlo, and Billie.
In Israel, Kobi is a common and warm nickname for boys named Yaakov (Jacob). As a girl's name in Western cultures, it represents the gender-fluid naming movement offering a punchy, modern alternative to longer names.
Historical Record
Kobi first appeared in US Social Security records in 1958.
Over 1,105 babies have been named Kobi in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kobi is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,642 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kobi is among the most popular nicknames in Israel for boys named Yaakov (Jacob)
- The city of Kobe, Japan, inspired the spelling of basketball legend Kobe Bryant's name
- Jacob is one of the most common names in the Bible, appearing over 300 times
Kobi in Other Languages
Arabic
كوبي
Hebrew
קובי
Japanese
コビ
Popularity Over Time
#2,642
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kobi
K
Kobe Bryant
Athlete
1978
American basketball legend, five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,642
- Total SSA Count
- 66
- Cultural Origins
- Israeli English African American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
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 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English 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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
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 Boy Name
Kobi is also used as a boy name, ranked #1679.
View Kobi as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kobi
What does the name Kobi mean?
"supplanter" (from Hebrew). "to follow at the heel" (from Hebrew). Kobi is a variant of Coby or Koby, an affectionate diminutive of the Hebrew name Jacob (Yaakov), meaning supplanter or he who follows at the heel. In Israeli culture, Kobi is a beloved everyday nickname for boys named Yaakov. As a girl's name in Western countries, it represents the growing gender-neutral naming trend of the 2010s-2020s.
What is the origin of the name Kobi?
Kobi has Hebrew, Israeli, English, and African American origins. In Hebrew, it means "supplanter". In Hebrew, it means "to follow at the heel".
Is Kobi a boy or girl name?
Kobi is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2642. As a boy name, it is ranked #1679. Kobi is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Kobi?
Kobi is currently ranked #2642 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Kobi?
Popular middle name pairings include Kobi Mae, Kobi Grace, Kobi Rose, Kobi Lynn, Kobi Faith, and Kobi Jean.
What are good sibling names for Kobi?
Names that pair well with Kobi as siblings include Zara, Milo, Nico, Lila, Cleo, and Theo.
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 #2642 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Kobi?
About the Name Kobi
Kobi is a girl name with Israeli, English, and African American origins . The name means "supplanter" in Hebrew .
Is Kobi a boy or girl name? Kobi is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,642 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,679. Kobi is more commonly used as a boy name.
Kobi is currently ranked #2,642 in popularity for girl 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, 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