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Toby
Pronounced TOH-bee /ˈtoʊ.bi/Medium
Meaning: Yahweh is goodMedium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Recorded with the meaning 'Yahweh is good', Toby is the everyday English form of Tobias, itself from the Hebrew Toviyya. Its variations — Tobiah, Tobias, Tobia and Tobiáš — trace the longer roots behind the casual short form. Bearers include English character actor Toby Jones and American actor Toby Huss.
The -y ending gives it warmth and an easygoing, unisex feel. The fuller forms like Tobias and Toviyya show the devotional origin sitting under the relaxed nickname.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Toby Jones (b. 1966)English character actor; Olivier Award winner known for 'Infamous', 'Captain America', 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' and 'Detectorists'.
- ★Toby Huss (b. 1966)American actor and voice actor; known for 'The Adventures of Pete & Pete', 'King of the Hill' and 'Halt and Catch Fire'.
If you like Toby…
Frequently Asked
What does the name Toby mean?
Toby is usually explained as meaning ' Yahweh is good' and is most often linked with English tradition.
How do you pronounce Toby?
It's commonly said TOH-bee /ˈtoʊ.bi/.
Is Toby a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Toby is used as a girl name.
How popular is Toby?
In 2024, Toby ranked #2004 in the U.S. for girls, with 98 births recorded.