Kobe Bean Bryant, aka Kobe Bryant, was a legendary NBA player with an interesting story behind his name.
His parents, Joe and Pam Bryant named him after the renowned Japanese Kobe beef.
They saw the name on a menu at a Japanese restaurant, and they were inspired. This decision gave the world one of its most recognizable sports figures and connected him, in name, to a delicacy from Japan.
Kobe’s middle name, Bean, was derived from his father’s nickname, “Jellybean.”
Kobe beef comes strictly from Japanese Black cows, specifically the Tajima strain. This breed became popular in Kobe after an Englishman enjoyed the local cattle.
Kobe’s parents were impressed by the well-marbled texture and tenderness of the beef, which led them to name their son Kobe.
In a 2018 “Good Mythical Morning,” Kobe Bryant discussed the origin of his name. When asked if the beef inspired his name, he responded humorously:
“It’s not inspired by, it actually is the name of the beef.
Via Youtube
My parents must have been smoking some really crazy. They said they sat down at a japanese restaurant and they looked at the menu and they saw the name kobe and they’re like oh that’s a cool name oh yeah let’s do it.”
Kobe Bryant’s fame in sports has also brought recognition to the Japanese dish.
Tetsunori Tanimoto, director of the Kobe Beef Marketing and Distribution Promotion Association, acknowledged that Kobe Bryant’s name significantly raised the global value of Kobe beef worldwide, considering it an honor to share the name and said:
“Mr. Kobe Bryant was named after Kobe Beef after his father had a taste of it and loved it. We think it is thanks to his name that the value of Kobe beef as something valuable was no doubt raised globally. It was our grate honor for us to have him use our important name.”
Via The Washington Post
Kobe Is A Name With Diverse Origins That Has Grown In Popularity
Born into Bryant’s family on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kobe Bryant’s illustrious 20-year career was entirely with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He is remembered as one of basketball’s all-time greats, securing five NBA championships, eighteen All-Star selections, and the 2008 NBA MVP award.
His influence earned him posthumous induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and a spot on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
With its various origins, the name Kobe has seen increased usage, particularly following Bryant’s rise to fame.
It is a unisex name with Hebrew, Dutch, Swahili, Japanese, Akan, and Greek roots. In Hebrew, “Koby” is a nickname for Jacob, meaning “Yahweh (God) may protect.”
In Swahili, Kobe means “tortoise” or “turtle,” while in Akan culture, it is a diminutive of “Kobina” or “Kwabena,” signifying a male born on Tuesday.
Despite its multiple origins, the name’s popularity in the United States surged with Bryant’s career, peaking in 2020 after his tragic death.
However, United States Social Security statistics show its use has declined since the early 2000s.
Adding another layer to the story, Kobe Bryant reportedly took legal action in 2010 to prevent the city of Kobe from using the name (Black Mamba) on products without his permission.
His attorney, Jeff Rundvlees, stated that Bryant’s fame had surpassed the city’s.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Tragically, 41-year-old Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna passed away in January 2020 in a helicopter crash.
- Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, passed away on July 15, 2024 at the age of 69.
- Bryant’s Family is Catholic, and their ethnicity is African-American.
