UK boy's name
Kobey
An English diminutive form of Jacob, meaning "holder of the heel" or "supplanter".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kobey is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kobey popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2263, with 10 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 15 births.
This profile covers 186 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 2002 to 2024. 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 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 185 living people in the UK are called Kobey. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kobey ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 10 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 15 boys were registered as Kobey.
- • About 185 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kobey as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2263
2024
Births in 2024
10
Latest year
Peak year
2010
15 births
Estimated living
185
2026
Meaning
What does Kobey mean?
The name Kobey finds its origins in the Japanese language, with its roots traced back to the late 16th century. The name is a combination of the Japanese words "ko," meaning "small" or "child," and "bei," which translates to "beautiful" or "graceful." This combination creates a name that embodies the idea of a beautiful or graceful child.
While the name Kobey is not widely documented in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is believed to have been used by Japanese families, particularly those with aristocratic or samurai backgrounds, as a way to express their hopes and aspirations for their children.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kobey can be found in the Edo period (1603-1868) of Japanese history. During this time, a renowned calligrapher and artist named Kobey Toshimitsu (1583-1638) gained recognition for his exceptional skills and contributions to the arts.
Another notable figure bearing the name Kobey was Kobey Maresuke (1655-1715), a skilled swordsmith who lived during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His katanas (Japanese swords) were highly prized for their exceptional craftsmanship and beauty.
In the 19th century, Kobey Akira (1831-1892) was a prominent Japanese scholar and educator who played a pivotal role in the modernization of Japan's education system during the Meiji Restoration.
During the early 20th century, Kobey Kaoru (1901-1975) was a celebrated Japanese novelist and poet whose works explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition. Her poetic prose and lyrical writing style garnered critical acclaim and influenced generations of writers.
More recently, Kobey Tatsuhiro (1932-2018) was a respected Japanese businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to various charitable organizations and initiatives focused on education and social welfare.
While these are just a few examples, the name Kobey has been carried by individuals from various walks of life throughout Japanese history, each leaving their mark and contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of the nation.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kobey over time
The chart below shows babies named Kobey registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kobey, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2024, compared with 15 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kobey by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kobey 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #2673 | 39 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2128 | 108 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2692 | 39 | 7 |
Related
Names similar to Kobey
- 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
Kobey: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kobey in the UK right now?
In 2024, Kobey was ranked #2263 for boys in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.
When was Kobey most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 15 babies registered as Kobey in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kobey?
An English diminutive form of Jacob, meaning "holder of the heel" or "supplanter".
How many people are called Kobey in the UK?
A total of 186 babies have been registered as Kobey across the 22 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.