Hobbes
A boy's name of Old English origin with 60 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname originating as a patronymic. Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679), English philosopher.
Hobbes is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, from an English surname meaning 'son of Robert' or derived from the medieval nickname Hob (a variant of Robin/Robert). Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) was the influential English philosopher whose Leviathan shaped modern political theory. Bill Watterson's tiger Hobbes in Calvin and Hobbes brought the name enormous cultural warmth.
Hobbes is philosophically weighty and culturally beloved — carrying both the intellectual heft of Leviathan and the irrepressible warmth of the world's most famous stuffed tiger.
EtymologyShow more
Hobbes is cataloged under the Old English naming tradition. Names from the Old English tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Hobbes has been recorded as a boy's name since 2011, with 60 total births. Browse the Old English names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Hobbes has 8+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2011.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 16 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 44 | — |
The Story of Hobbes
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2015, Hobbes is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Hobbes are most likely born between 2011 and 2024.
How rare is Hobbes?
Only about 1 in every 720,000 babies born in 2024 was named Hobbes — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2011, peaked in the 2010s with 44 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Hobbes by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(8 years, 2011–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | #12951 |
| 2023 | 11 | #7446 |
| 2017 | 5 | #12981 |
| 2016 | 7 | #10050 |
| 2015 | 12 | #6824 |
| 2014 | 8 | #9095 |
| 2013 | 6 | #11243 |
| 2011 | 6 | #11362 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2011–2024