Nobi

Nobi is a Japanese surname written with the kanji 野比. The characters roughly convey a literal meaning related to fields, but as a surname its origin is historical and not tied to a single clear translation. The name is most widely recognized internationally for Nobita Nobi, the central character of the Doraemon franchise.

In Doraemon, Nobita Nobi is a young boy who befriends a robotic cat from the future, Doraemon, and becomes the focal point for a series of adventures created by Fujiko F. Fujio. The Doraemon manga began serialization in 1969 and has since expanded into a long-running anime series, numerous feature films, and a global fan base. Within the fictional world, the Nobi family includes Nobita and his parents, who appear in various episodes and stories, though the emphasis remains on Nobita’s interactions with Doraemon and his friends.

Beyond Doraemon, Nobi is a real-world Japanese surname borne by individuals outside the series, though it is not among the most common surnames in Japan. The name’s fame in popular culture largely stems from the character Nobita Nobi and the enduring Doraemon franchise, which has contributed to the surname’s recognition worldwide.