Given name & surname
Hobby
“one who is bright with fame”
Hobby is a variant of Hobbes. In English use, Hobbes carries the interpretation “one who is bright with fame.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Hobby is a variant of Hobbes. In English use, Hobbes carries the interpretation “one who is bright with fame.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Hobby connects to the Robert name family through Hobbes. Robert has been associated with Germanic and English naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1918. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Hobby connects to the Robert name family through Hobbes. The history of Robert gives this family its wider story. Robert’s historical associations include three kings of Scotland, notably Robert the Bruce.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Hobby through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 9
- 9 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 1918
- 9 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for boys is 9 in 1918. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 2,605 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.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Hobby, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Homer
“a tomboyish woman” · “of the pledge; an epic poet”
>99% boys
Horace
“the keeper of time”
>99% boys
Hale
“from the hall of light; a heroine” · “from the hall; a hero”
>99% boys
Hardy
“one who is bold and courageous”
98% boys · 2% girls
Hilton
“a wealthy woman” · “from the town on the hill”
85% boys · 15% girls
Harry
“the ruler of an army” · “home”
>99% boys
Harmon
“a soldier”
91% boys · 9% girls
Odie
“a sweet melody” · “one who is wealthy”
>99% boys