Kobe Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Kobe is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Kobe?
Kobe is spelled K-O-B-E. The name has 4 letters.
Kobe at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Kobe may derive from the Japanese city name “Kōbe,” which is composed of characters meaning “God” and “door” or “gate.”
- Origin
- Kobe is commonly associated with Japanese origins, specifically linked to the place name of the city Kobe in Japan.
- Pronunciation
- koh-bee · 2 syllables
Kobe Popularity in 2025
Rank#3,780
Recorded Births39
Rank#518
Recorded Births578
- Girls usage fell 85 places to #3,780 and recorded 2 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage fell 108 places to #518 and recorded 212 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Kobe Mean?
Kobe may derive from the Japanese city name “Kōbe,” which is composed of characters meaning “God” and “door” or “gate.”
Origin: Kobe is commonly associated with Japanese origins, specifically linked to the place name of the city Kobe in Japan.
How Do You Pronounce Kobe?
Pronunciationkoh-bee
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Kobe?
- History
- The use of Kobe as a masculine given name in English-speaking countries increased notably in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, partially influenced by public figures bearing the name.
Kobe Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2014 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 39 | #3,780 |
| 2025 | Boys | 578 | #518 |
| 2024 | Girls | 41 | #3,695 |
| 2024 | Boys | 790 | #410 |
| 2023 | Girls | 41 | #3,709 |
| 2023 | Boys | 755 | #421 |
| 2022 | Girls | 51 | #3,171 |
| 2022 | Boys | 851 | #381 |
| 2021 | Girls | 60 | #2,818 |
| 2021 | Boys | 1,117 | #297 |
| 2020 | Girls | 57 | #2,850 |
| 2020 | Boys | 1,518 | #239 |
| 2019 | Girls | 18 | #6,414 |
| 2019 | Boys | 507 | #556 |
| 2018 | Girls | 11 | #9,151 |
| 2018 | Boys | 481 | #575 |
| 2017 | Girls | 17 | #6,808 |
| 2017 | Boys | 533 | #531 |
| 2016 | Girls | 20 | #6,186 |
| 2016 | Boys | 583 | #512 |
| 2015 | Girls | 7 | #13,006 |
| 2015 | Boys | 465 | #594 |
| 2014 | Girls | 14 | #8,053 |
| 2014 | Boys | 524 | #532 |
When Was Kobe Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2001 · Boys
1,552 recorded births
National rank #222
2020 · Boys
1,518 recorded births
National rank #239
2000 · Boys
1,432 recorded births
National rank #238
2002 · Boys
1,392 recorded births
National rank #244
Where Kobe Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| NV | #243 | 12 |
| MS | #259 | 12 |
| IN | #338 | 22 |
| KS | #386 | 9 |
| VA | #388 | 20 |
| LA | #401 | 12 |
| WA | #403 | 18 |
| MD | #407 | 12 |