Toby
Toby is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
God is good.
Origin and history
Toby originated as a medieval English short form of Tobias, which derives from the Hebrew name Tobiah. Historically used for both boys and girls, it remains a steady and familiar male name in the United States. It offers an approachable, casual alternative to longer classical names.
Popularity in the United States
34,846 babies in the United States have been named Toby since 1880. It ranks #619 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1019.
States where it is most popular
- TX (11.4 %)
- CA (9.3 %)
- OH (5.3 %)
- IL (4.3 %)
- NY (3.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 10 |
| 1890-1900 | 6 |
| 1900-1910 | 32 |
| 1910-1920 | 163 |
| 1920-1930 | 253 |
| 1930-1940 | 501 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,240 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,124 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,359 |
| 1970-1980 | 9,884 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,759 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,127 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,855 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,403 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,130 |
Famous people named Toby
- Toby Keith: Singer, Songwriter
- Toby Jones: Actor
- Toby Stephens: Actor
Fun facts
- Toby arose in England during the Middle Ages as a vernacular diminutive of Tobias.
- The name appears prominently in classical literature, notably Sir Toby Belch in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.