Kobe is a distinctive choice, ranked #278 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Kobe in their class.
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UK Rank 2024
#278
US Rank #409
About the Name Kobe
Kobe is gradually declining in popularity, having dropped 73 places over five years. Its high point was #205 in 2020, and it now sits at #278. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1997.
Kobe is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it sits at #409 — notably more popular in the UK than across the Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Kobe
Unlikely. With around 165 UK babies named Kobe per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Kobe in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Kobe has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 73 places in the last five years. Its peak was #205 in 2020. Choosing it now means he is likely to be among the last of his generation with this name.
Kobe is more popular in the UK (#278) than in the US (#409). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Kobe include: Malebo Kobe — Malebo Patricia Kobe is a South African politician and member of Parliament (MP) for the ActionSA.; Kobe Jones — Kobe Montrell Jones is an American professional football linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions.; Kobe Brown — Kobe Levose Brown is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA)..
Kobe appears in the US top 500 at #409 in 2024 — moderately popular in America, though less so than in the UK.
165
UK babies named Kobe (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.1
In a school of 600
↓ 73 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Kobe
Likely around 1 other Kobe in the class
UK Popularity (1997–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Kobe
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Malebo Patricia Kobe is a South African politician and member of Parliament (MP) for the ActionSA. She was elected to the National Assembly of South Africa in the 2024 South African general election.
Kobe Montrell Jones is an American professional football linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions. He played college football at Mississippi State, and originally signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2021.
Kobe Levose Brown is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Missouri Tigers.
Kobe Michael Sanders is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Cal Poly Mustangs and the Nevada Wolf Pack.
Kobe Johnson is an American professional basketball player for the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins.