Joby
Primarily a boy's name of Hebrew origin with 1,174 recorded births. Also given to 68 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A diminutive of the male given name Joseph.
Joby is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a diminutive of Job, from the Hebrew Iyyov, possibly meaning 'persecuted' or 'the repentant one' — the nickname form of the biblical patriarch whose extraordinary endurance under suffering is one of the most powerful stories in world literature.
With over 1,174 recorded births, Joby is used in American communities as a friendly, compact form of Job. The Book of Job — in which the righteous Job loses everything through a cosmic wager between God and Satan, then engages in a profound dialogue about suffering, justice, and divine mystery — is considered one of the greatest works of world literature. As Joby, the name carries that deep heritage with a more approachable, warm everyday character.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Joby belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Hebrew naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Hebrew names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Joby’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Joby was #6744 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #7981, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 33 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 104 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 139 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 188 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 171 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 288 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 168 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 63 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 15 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 5 | — |
The Story of Joby
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1977, Joby is a Gen X staple. Boys named Joby are most likely born between 1967 and 1987.
How rare is Joby?
Only about 1 in every 360,000 babies born in 2024 was named Joby — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1939, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1970s with 288 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Joby by the numbers
- Would fill 24 school buses
- Meeting one Joby per day would take 3.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(74 years, 1939–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | #7981 |
| 2023 | 7 | #10195 |
| 2022 | 10 | #8012 |
| 2021 | 6 | #11381 |
| 2019 | 6 | #11404 |
| 2018 | 8 | #9196 |
| 2017 | 10 | #7842 |
| 2015 | 13 | #6495 |
| 2014 | 10 | #7827 |
| 2013 | 13 | #6423 |
| 2012 | 12 | #6811 |
| 2011 | 16 | #5547 |
| 2010 | 16 | #5597 |
| 2009 | 15 | #5938 |
| 2008 | 12 | #6957 |
| 2007 | 10 | #7864 |
| 2006 | 15 | #5656 |
| 2005 | 11 | #6858 |
| 2004 | 11 | #6744 |
| 2003 | 12 | #6046 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Joby as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Joby has also been given to 68 girls in the U.S. since 1956.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joby a boy's or girl's name?
When was Joby most popular?
How popular is the name Joby?
Can Joby be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1939–2024