The name Cobalt has its origins in the German language, where it was derived from the word "kobalt," which itself was derived from the Greek word "κοβαλτος" (kobaltos), meaning "goblin." This name was initially given to the blue-colored ores of cobalt by German miners, who believed that these ores were poisoned by mischievous goblins, causing the miners to become ill when exposed to them.

The earliest recorded use of the name Cobalt can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was used by German alchemists and mineralogists to refer to the blue-colored ores and the metallic element they contained. While the name was initially associated with the mineral and its uses in the production of ceramics and glass, it eventually found its way into use as a given name.

One of the earliest known individuals to bear the name Cobalt was Cobalt Frosch, a German alchemist born in the late 15th century. Frosch is credited with discovering the process of extracting the metallic element cobalt from its ores, laying the foundation for its later uses in various industries.

In the 17th century, the name Cobalt gained some popularity among European aristocratic families, particularly in Germany and France. One notable bearer of the name was Cobalt von Richthofen, a German nobleman born in 1632, who served as a military commander during the Thirty Years' War.

As the use of the name spread beyond its initial association with the mineral, it began to appear in various literary works and historical records. One such example is the character of Cobalt Bluebeard in the 19th-century novel "The Cobalt Bluebeard" by German author Heinrich Zschokke.

Other notable individuals named Cobalt throughout history include:

1. Cobalt Baudelaire (1821-1867), a French poet and one of the most influential figures in the Symbolist movement.
2. Cobalt Bleriot (1872-1936), a French aviator and engineer, best known for making the first successful powered heavier-than-air flight across the English Channel.
3. Cobalt Brâncuși (1876-1957), a Romanian sculptor and one of the most influential modern artists of the 20th century.
4. Cobalt Zola (1840-1902), a French novelist and a leading figure in the literary movement of naturalism.
5. Cobalt Presley (1935-1977), an American singer and actor, widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century.