Toby
Toby is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God is good.
Origin and history
Toby is historically a diminutive of Tobias, derived from the Hebrew name Tobiah meaning 'God is good'. While historically more common for males, Toby has maintained a steady presence as a feminine given name in the United States over the past century. Today, it offers a spirited, unisex appeal with a friendly, vintage feel.
Popularity in the United States
8,387 babies in the United States have been named Toby since 1880. It ranks #1826 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1542.
States where it is most popular
- NY (68.4 %)
- NJ (6.4 %)
- PA (4.5 %)
- CA (4.3 %)
- IL (4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 37 |
| 1910-1920 | 294 |
| 1920-1930 | 409 |
| 1930-1940 | 947 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,360 |
| 1950-1960 | 957 |
| 1960-1970 | 724 |
| 1970-1980 | 966 |
| 1980-1990 | 447 |
| 1990-2000 | 366 |
| 2000-2010 | 582 |
| 2010-2019 | 737 |
| 2020-2029 | 561 |
Famous people named Toby
- Toby Wing: Actress
Fun facts
- Toby traces back to Tobiah, a name found in several books of the Hebrew Bible.
- Although more popular for boys, Toby has been consistently registered as a girls' name in the U.S. since records began in 1880.