Hobie
A boy's name with 440 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Fewer than 440 Americans have ever been named Hobie. It first appeared in SSA records in 1955 and peaked modestly at 23 births in 1990 — rare enough to be distinctive, with just enough history to feel grounded.
In the most recent SSA release, Hobie ranks #5109 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Hobie is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, a diminutive of Robert or Hobby, from the medieval nickname for Robin or Robert, meaning 'bright fame.' It also evokes the Hobie Cat sailboat brand, giving it a breezy, adventurous spirit.
EtymologyShow more
Hobie first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1955. Arriving in the 1950s, Hobie appeared during a period when American naming was beginning to diversify beyond the traditional Anglo-Saxon and biblical pools.
Without a confirmed origin classification, Hobie may have arrived through family tradition, creative coinage, or cultural channels not yet documented in standard naming references.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Hobie climbed 6910 spots in the last 20 years — from #12019 to #5109.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 67 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 80 | — |
| 2000s | 80 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 144 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 21 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 28 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 20 | — |
The Story of Hobie
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1990, Hobie is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Hobie are most likely born between 1980 and 2000.
How rare is Hobie?
Only about 1 in every 189,474 babies born in 2024 was named Hobie — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1955, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1990s with 144 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Hobie by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Hobie per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(45 years, 1955–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 | #5109 |
| 2023 | 12 | #7053 |
| 2022 | 6 | #11378 |
| 2021 | 11 | #7278 |
| 2020 | 19 | #4918 |
| 2019 | 10 | #7848 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10059 |
| 2017 | 8 | #9151 |
| 2016 | 10 | #7806 |
| 2015 | 9 | #8284 |
| 2014 | 6 | #11231 |
| 2013 | 6 | #11245 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11309 |
| 2011 | 10 | #7700 |
| 2010 | 8 | #9101 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9297 |
| 2008 | 5 | #13260 |
| 2007 | 6 | #11439 |
| 2006 | 7 | #9954 |
| 2005 | 5 | #12095 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hobie a boy's or girl's name?
When was Hobie most popular?
How popular is the name Hobie?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1955–2024