Find out how popular the first name Kobe has been for the last 35 years (from 1989 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kobe by gender

Based on the last 35 years of data, Kobe is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Kobe being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 753 male babies and 41 female babies born with the name Kobe.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 41 baby girls were named Kobe in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Kobe

The name Kobe is of Japanese origin and can be traced back to the 8th century in Japan. It is derived from the Japanese word "kobe", which means "ancient stride" or "sacred steed". The name was likely given to children in ancient Japan with the hope that they would grow up to be strong and resilient like a mighty steed.

In the early 12th century, Kobe appeared as a place name in the Kamakura region of Japan. The city of Kobe, located in the Hyogo Prefecture, was named after a small village that existed in the area during that time period. It is believed that the village was named after a prominent local family who bore the surname Kobe.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Kobe was Kobe no Tsunehisa, a Japanese samurai warrior who lived in the late 12th century. He was a member of the Minamoto clan and played a significant role in the Genpei War, a conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans for control of Japan.

In the 16th century, Kobe no Masamoto was a renowned Japanese swordsmith who lived in the Mino Province (present-day Gifu Prefecture). He was renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship and contributed to the development of the Japanese sword-making tradition.

Another notable figure with the name Kobe was Kobe Tsunayoshi, a Japanese daimyo (feudal lord) who ruled the Sendai Domain in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was known for his role in the Sendai Reformation, a series of reforms aimed at improving the economic and social conditions of his domain.

In the 19th century, Kobe Toshitsura was a Japanese educator and scholar who played a pivotal role in the modernization of Japan's education system during the Meiji Restoration. He was instrumental in introducing Western-style education to Japan and establishing several prominent schools and universities.

While the name Kobe has ancient roots in Japanese culture, it has also gained international recognition due to the fame of Kobe Bryant, the legendary American basketball player who tragically passed away in 2020. His name, which he shared with the Japanese city, helped to popularize the name globally, particularly in the United States.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kobe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kobe, please contact us.

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