UK boy's name
Kobby
Masculine name of Ghanaian origin derived from the Akan word 'akobor'.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kobby is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kobby popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4749, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 4 births.
This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2006 to 2018. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 7 living people in the UK are called Kobby. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kobby ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 4 boys were registered as Kobby.
- • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kobby as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4749
2018
Births in 2018
3
Latest year
Peak year
2006
4 births
Estimated living
7
2026
Meaning
What does Kobby mean?
The given name Kobby is believed to have its origins in the Akan language spoken by the Akan people of Ghana and Ivory Coast. The name is derived from the word "Kofi," which means "born on Friday" in the Akan language. It is a name that has been traditionally given to boys born on that day of the week.
Kobby is a diminutive or shortened form of the name Kofi, and it is a widely used variant in the Akan culture. The name has been in use among the Akan people for centuries, dating back to the pre-colonial era in West Africa.
While there are no specific historical references or ancient texts mentioning the name Kobby, it is closely linked to the cultural traditions and naming practices of the Akan people. The use of day names, such as Kofi, Kwame, and Kwasi, is a significant aspect of Akan naming customs.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Kobby can be traced back to the 19th century during the period of the transatlantic slave trade. Some enslaved Africans from the Akan region were given the name Kobby or its variations upon their arrival in the Americas.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Kobby. One such person is Kobby Mensah (born in 1985), a Ghanaian professional footballer who has played for various clubs in Ghana and abroad.
Another notable Kobby is Kobby Acheampong (born in 1979), a Ghanaian actor and comedian known for his work in Ghanaian television and film.
Kobby Ekuren (born in 1980) is a Ghanaian singer and songwriter who has gained popularity in the Ghanaian music industry.
Kobby Frimpong (born in 1990) is a Ghanaian professional basketball player who has played for teams in several countries, including Ghana, Spain, and the United States.
Kobby Graham (1929-2010) was a Ghanaian diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana from 1979 to 1981.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Kobby throughout history, reflecting its cultural significance and enduring use within the Akan community and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kobby over time
The chart below shows babies named Kobby registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kobby, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2018, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kobby by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kobby was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4749 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3385 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Kobby
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Kobby: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kobby in the UK right now?
In 2018, Kobby was ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kobby most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 4 babies registered as Kobby in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kobby?
Masculine name of Ghanaian origin derived from the Akan word 'akobor'.
How many people are called Kobby in the UK?
A total of 7 babies have been registered as Kobby across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.