Toby

♂ Boy

Pronounced TOH-bee /ˈtoʊ.bi/High

Meaning: Short form of Tobias, from Hebrew Toviah or Tuvya meaning Yahweh is good, composed of tov meaning good and Yah meaning YahwehHigh

In 30 seconds: Toby is a cheerful, biblical name meaning God is good, a short form of Tobias. With a friendly, bouncy sound and understated vintage charm, it has been rising steadily as parents rediscover friendly short biblical names.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningShort form of Tobias, from Hebrew Toviah or Tuvya meaning Yahweh is good, composed of tov meaning good and Yah meaning Yahweh

U.S. rank (2025)#979 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births234 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1975

Total births (all-time)≈ 34,841

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Tobias derives from Hebrew Toviah, and the shorter form Toby was used in medieval England as a familiar form. The Book of Tobit in the Catholic and Orthodox Old Testament features a father-son pair named Tobit and Tobias, giving the name deep biblical roots.

Toby enjoyed popularity in England and the United States throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. It is now rising again alongside other friendly biblical short forms like Eli, Levi, and Amos.

Did you know? Toby Belch, Sir Toby Belch, is one of Shakespeare's most beloved comic characters in Twelfth Night, the jovial, party-loving uncle who provides much of the play's boisterous humor. The name has carried a jovial, good-natured air ever since.

Overall data confidence 96%

Behind the Name — Toby — Hebrew etymology via TobiasU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

TobiasTobia

Nicknames

Tobes

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Toby…

Eli— shares the short, friendly biblical masculine name revival trend

Levi— same concise Hebrew-origin name with a gentle, approachable character

Amos— shares the brief Old Testament name energy and quiet vintage revival

Noah— same friendly, short Hebrew name that has been on a long-running revival

Frequently Asked

What does the name Toby mean?

Toby means God is good as a short form of Tobias, from Hebrew Toviah combining tov (good) and Yah (Yahweh).

How do you pronounce Toby?

It is said TOH-bee, with two syllables and stress on the first.

Is Toby short for Tobias?

Yes, Toby is a traditional short form of Tobias but is also widely used as a standalone given name.

Is Toby a popular name?

Toby has been steadily used in English-speaking countries and is part of the current revival of short, friendly biblical boys names.