Meaning & origin
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 2004. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Cobain through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 205
- 205 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2017
- 20 babies
- 2025
- 10
- #7,779 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −28%
- Easing
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 10 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 7,779 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 27.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 20 in 2017. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 147 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Cobain’s family of names
In English usage, Cobain as a surname has a conventional equivalent in the Greek form Κομπέιν. In English usage, Cobain as a surname has a conventional equivalent in the Ukrainian form Кобейн. In English usage, Cobain as a surname has a conventional equivalent in the Hebrew form קוביין.
The ring: across languages.
Around the world
Cobain has relatives in 14 languages. Lines run from its Old Norse roots to each of them.
14 related names in 14 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Across languages 14
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
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If you love Cobain, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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