Cobain
Of uncertain origin, perhaps from a variant of Cobain or Coban meaning "heaven" or "sky".
Name Census estimates that about 193 living Americans carry the first name Cobain. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Cobain today is around 10 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Cobain births was 2017 (20 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Cobain. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
193
~ 1 in 1,775,929 Americans
Peak year
2017
20 babies that year
Average age
10
years old
2024 SSA rank
#11,159
Tracked since 2004
Popularity
Cobain: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Cobain from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 118 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Cobain remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Cobain by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Cobain during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Cobains live
Origin
Meaning and history of Cobain
The first name Cobain is a unique and intriguing moniker with a rich history that spans multiple cultures and time periods. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Gaelic language, where it is believed to have derived from the word "cob," meaning "victor" or "champion." This connection suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals who displayed exceptional bravery or achieved great triumphs in battle or other pursuits.
Interestingly, the name Cobain also bears resemblance to the Old English word "cobyn," which translates to "small cottage" or "humble dwelling." This potential etymology lends a more humble and down-to-earth connotation to the name, perhaps signifying a connection to simple living or a humble spirit.
While historical references to the name Cobain are scarce, there are a few notable individuals who have borne this distinctive moniker throughout the ages. One of the earliest recorded instances is Cobain of Mercia, a 9th-century Anglo-Saxon nobleman who played a pivotal role in the unification of England under the reign of King Egbert of Wessex.
Another notable figure is Cobain the Wanderer, a 12th-century poet and minstrel who traveled throughout Europe, composing and reciting tales of adventure and romance. His poetic works, though largely lost to time, are said to have been widely celebrated during his lifetime.
In the realm of literature, the name Cobain appears in the works of the esteemed 16th-century English playwright, William Shakespeare. In his play "The Taming of the Shrew," a minor character named Cobain is mentioned, though his role is relatively insignificant.
Moving forward in time, the 18th century saw the rise of Cobain Hawthorne, a renowned British botanist and explorer. Hawthorne's expeditions to the Americas led to the discovery and documentation of numerous plant species, many of which bear his name in scientific nomenclature.
Perhaps the most famous bearer of the name Cobain is Kurt Cobain, the legendary American singer-songwriter and guitarist who fronted the iconic grunge rock band Nirvana. Born in 1967, Cobain's raw and emotional songwriting, combined with his powerful stage presence, left an indelible mark on the music industry and popular culture. His tragic death in 1994 at the age of 27 only further cemented his status as a cultural icon and a voice for a generation.
People
Cobain + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Cobain as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Cobain: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Cobain?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 193 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Cobain going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,775,929 US residents.
Is Cobain a common name?
We classify Cobain as "Very Rare". It ranks above 73.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 195 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Cobain most popular?
The single biggest year for Cobain was 2017, when 20 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Cobain is about 10 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Cobain a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Cobain in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.