Meaning, origin, history
Hobby is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "hobbe," which was used to refer to a small, mischievous sprite or goblin in folklore. The name Hobby was popularized during the Victorian era, when many unusual and fanciful names were chosen for children.
In literature, one of the most notable references to the name Hobby can be found in William Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew." In this work, a character named Grumio refers to his master as "my little mistress' hobbidance," which is believed to have contributed to the name's popularity.
While Hobby may seem like an unconventional choice for a given name today, it has been used throughout history and continues to be chosen by parents seeking unique and memorable names for their children. The name Hobby also has the advantage of being easy to spell and pronounce in multiple languages.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Hobby since 1880
Total births
9
Total since 1880
Peak year
1918
9 births
in 1918
9
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
→
vs previous 5 years