Nobu

A girl's name of Japanese origin with 5 recorded U.S. births.

Girl's nameRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

Nobu peaked during early twentieth-century America, when 5 babies received this name in a single year (1917). That era was defined by heritage-rooted naming, and Nobu has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.

Nobu is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.

Nobu is a girl's baby name of Japanese origin, typically meaning 'trust, faith' or 'prolong, extend.' Simple and precise, it has the elegant economy of the best Japanese given names.

EtymologyShow more

Phonetically, Nobu belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, approachable ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.

Within the Japanese naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Japanese names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Nobu’s linguistic neighborhood.

At a Glance

Total births

Since 1917

1917

Peak

5 births

1917

First recorded

1 years of data

Compare Nobu with another name

Popularity Over Time

Nobu has 1+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1917.

First appeared: 1917Peak: 1917 (5 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Nobu
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
1910s	5	#5112	—

The Story of Nobu

A Greatest Generation name

Peaking in 1917, Nobu is a name steeped in history. Girls named Nobu are most likely born between 1917 and 1917.

How rare is Nobu?

With fewer than 500 recorded births, Nobu is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1917, peaked in the 1910s with 5 births that decade.

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(1 years, 1917–1917)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Nobu
Year	Births	Rank	Change
1917	5	#5112	—

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nobu a boy's or girl's name?

Nobu is primarily a girl's name.

When was Nobu most popular?

Nobu reached its peak popularity in 1917 with 5 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Nobu?

Nobu is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 5 babies in the U.S. since 1917. Its peak was in 1917.

Explore More

By Length4-letter names By OriginJapanese names By EndingNames in -u TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1917–1917