"supplanter"
Kobi
A fresh Hebrew-rooted name crossing gender lines
Meaning & Origin
"to follow at the heel"
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.
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
Famous People Named Kobi
Kobe Bryant
Athlete
1978
American basketball legend, five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers
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
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
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?
What is the origin of the name Kobi?
Is Kobi a boy or girl name?
How popular is the name Kobi?
What are common nicknames for Kobi?
What are good middle names for Kobi?
What are good sibling names for Kobi?
How many syllables does Kobi have?
Is Kobi a common or rare name?
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.