Hobby

An off-beat Medieval diminutive of Robert and Robin, Hobby likely emerged in the same way Bobby and Billy did – by swapping the first letter of the more obvious nickname, possibly due to the number or Roberts, Robbys, and Robins one might have known. Today, Hobby might be considered more of a word name, but the name was in fact the source of the word!

First used to describe a (real) medium sized horse, by the 16th-century, Hobby was also being used to describe a wooden horse for children to practice or pretend riding on. This eventually led to it being used, negatively at first, to refer to any childish (or non-productive) leisure activity. Over time, it began to shed (some) of those negative connotations, particularly after it was used in Laurence Sterne's 18th-century novel,Tristam Shandy, to describe playful and fanciful obsessions. Now, it brings to mind pleasurable activities, engaged in regularly for enjoyment and interest.

Moving on from that etymological detour, Hobby has only appeared once in the US stats, back in 1918 when it was given to 9 boys.

Pronounced HAH-bee.

As of October 2026, Hobby ranked #2975 for boys in US births in 1918 SSA.