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Kobi

Girl Name #2,642 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A fresh Hebrew-rooted name crossing gender lines

Israeli English African American
Modern Playful Unique Bold

Meaning & Origin

"supplanter"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
"to follow at the heel"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew

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

Arabic كوبي
Hebrew קובי
Japanese コビ

Famous People Named Kobi

K

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

Ko

Pairs Well With

Kobi Mae Kobi Grace Kobi Rose Kobi Lynn Kobi Faith Kobi Jean

Sibling Names

Also a Boy Name

Kobi is also used as a boy name, ranked #1679.

View Kobi as a boy name →

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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 common nicknames for Kobi?
Common nicknames for Kobi include Ko.
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.

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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