How to say it
KO · be
/ˈkoʊ.bi/
Masculine
Kobe
A Japanese city; tortoise
What it means
From the Japanese city Kobe, with ties to Swahili 'tortoise'; popularized by Kobe Bryant.
Kobe is best known through basketball legend Kobe Bryant, whose parents picked it off a menu featuring Kobe beef from the Japanese port city. The city's name relates to a shrine, and Kobe also means 'tortoise' in Swahili. Cool and modern, it surged as a tribute name. Said KOH-bee.
Popularity over time
peaked at #222 in 2001, currently #519 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
- Spelling
From the Japanese city; also Coby or Kobi.
Spelling variants
- Coby
- Kobi
- Kobey