Koby
BoyHebrew, English· “short form of Jacob; supplanter”
- Meaning
- short form of Jacob; supplanter
- Origin
- Hebrew, English
- Pronunciation
- KOH-bee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,174
- US babies 2025
- 66
- Best rank
- #533 (2000)
- Peak year
- 2000
Meaning and origin of Koby
Koby is a Hebrew and English name that means “short form of Jacob; supplanter”.
Koby is a short form of Jacob, which comes from the Hebrew Yaakov and is usually interpreted as supplanter or one who follows. In Hebrew, Kobi is a common diminutive, and Koby is an English-friendly spelling of it. The name has a friendly, sporty feel and a relaxed rhythm that suits a modern boy. It can stand alone or serve as a nickname for Jacob or Jacoby. It fits alongside names like Toby and Cody, and its roots give it a quiet link to one of the patriarchs of the Hebrew Bible.
Other spellings with the same sound: Coby, Cobey.
Popularity over time
Koby first appears in US Social Security records in 1958. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 8 different years, starting in 1997. Its best national rank was #533 in 2000, the same year it reached its highest count of 411 babies. In 2025, 66 babies were named Koby, and it ranked #2,174 nationally. That is 39% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,491 in 1980, #533 in 2000, #1,273 in 2010, and #2,174 in 2025. Of the 6,038 US boys named Koby since records began, 42% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 1,412 babies. Since 2010, 1,533 more have been named Koby.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Keyshawn, Shamar, Alvaro, Keshawn, and Agustin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Koby ranked highest in Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #1843 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Koby over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Koby is usually pronounced KOH-bee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with K and ends in “-by”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Coby and Cobey.
Middle names for Koby
A few middle names that flow with Koby: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Koby
Similar names
Lists that include Koby
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Koby mean?
Koby is a Hebrew and English name that means “short form of Jacob; supplanter”.
What is the origin of the name Koby?
Koby has Hebrew and English roots. Koby is a short form of Jacob, which comes from the Hebrew Yaakov and is usually interpreted as supplanter or one who follows.
Is Koby a popular name?
Not especially. Koby ranked #2,174 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Koby a boy or girl name?
Koby is mainly a boy's name. About 98% of US babies named Koby over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Koby?
Koby is usually pronounced KOH-bee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings