The name Hobovše pri Stari Oselici means 'Hobovše near Stara Oselica'. The village was attested in historical sources as Chotwůsse in 1291, Chotwůsche in 1318, and Chadbuesch in 1500.[4][5] The name is believed to derive from the plural demonym*Hotebǫďe-vьsʼane 'residents of Hotebǫdъ's village', referring to an early individual associated with the settlement.[5]