Unisex name · peaked 1976

Joby

A diminutive of the male given name Joseph.

Every Joby since 1939 — 1,242 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.010.010.020.0318801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Joby
Peak year
1976
45 babies
All-time total
1,242
since 1939

The story of Joby

Joby is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1939, 1,242 American babies have been named Joby — about 95% boys and 5% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1976, when 45 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Joby stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Joby year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025
2024 10 #8,020
2023 7 #10,203
2022 10 #8,019
2021 6 #11,390
2020
2019 6 #11,408
2018 8 #9,200
2017 10 #7,845
2016
2015 13 #6,497
2014 10 #7,828
2013 13 #6,424
2012 12 #6,813
2011 16 #5,547
2010 16 #5,597
2009 15 #5,940
2008 12 #6,958
2007 10 #7,864
2006 15 #5,656
2005 11 #6,858
2004 11 #6,744
2003 12 #6,047
2002 22 #3,857
2001 12 #5,832
2000 19 #4,128
1995 24 #2,969
1990 19 #3,233
1985 14 #3,296
1980 22 #2,317
1975 6 #8,414 29 #1,727
1970 5 #8,532 16 #2,348
1965 20 #1,791
1960 12 #2,478
1955 6 #3,693
1950
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Joby mean?

A diminutive of the male given name Joseph.

How popular is the name Joby in 2025?

Joby did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Joby?

1,242 babies have been named Joby in the United States since 1939, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Joby most popular?

Joby peaked in 1976, when 45 newborns received the name.

Is Joby a boy or girl name?

Joby is used for both: about 5% of babies named Joby have been girls and 95% boys.

Is the name Joby rising or falling?

Joby is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Joby

Compare Joby with similar names →