NamePetalNamePetal

Toby

Toby is a boy's name of Hebrew and Biblical origin. Its meaning is not recorded in the standard references we check — we would rather tell you that plainly than guess. In 2024 it was given to 194 boys in the United States.

Toby at a glance

Gender
Boy name
Origin
Biblical & Christian · Irish & Celtic
Meaning
Not recorded in standard references
Pronunciation
/ˈtəʊbi/
Also spelled
Tobias

About the name Toby

Toby belongs to the Biblical & Christian and Irish & Celtic tradition. Its roots are documented, even though its precise meaning is not recorded in the standard references — an honest gap we prefer to a confident guess. It travels in a few spellings: Tobias.

In the United States, Toby first appears in Social Security records in 1882. It climbed to its best-ever rank of #190 in 1975, and in 2024 194 babies received the name — 34,607 in total since 1880. Those are the official counts, not estimates.

Toby in US records

First recorded (US)
1882
Best US rank
#190 in 1975
Peak year
1975
Babies named Toby in 2024
194
Total since 1880
34,607

Toby in England & Wales records

First recorded (since 1996)
1996
Best rank
#42 in 2014
Babies named Toby in 2025
600
Total since 1996
33,082

Spellings & short forms

Tobias

Similar names

More names from the Biblical & Christian shelf:

JamesHebrew and BiblicalJohnHebrew and BiblicalMichaelHebrew and BiblicalDavidHebrew and BiblicalJosephHebrew and BiblicalThomasHebrew and BiblicalDanielHebrew and BiblicalMatthewHebrew and Biblical

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Toby mean?

The meaning of Toby is not recorded in the standard references we check. Rather than repeat an unsourced claim, we leave it open — its Hebrew and Biblical origin is documented, but its exact meaning is not.

Is Toby a boy or girl name?

Toby is a boy name. In 2024, 194 babies received the name in the US.

What origin is the name Toby?

Toby comes from the Biblical & Christian and Irish & Celtic tradition. It is also spelled Tobias.

How popular is the name Toby?

Toby first appears in US records in 1882. Its best-ever ranking was #190 in 1975, and 194 babies were given the name in 2024.

How do you pronounce Toby?

Toby is pronounced /ˈtəʊbi/ (IPA).

Meaning and origin for this page were checked against this source. US popularity figures are from the Social Security Administration's public baby-names data. England & Wales figures are from the Office for National Statistics. If you spot an error, write to [email protected] — accuracy is the whole point of this site, and corrections are made fast.