"God is good"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Toby
Pronunciation: [ t-OHB-ee ]
Does Toby flow with your last name?
A warm, vintage name meaning God is good
English
American
Australian
Vintage
Playful
Whimsical
Gentle
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"Yahweh is good"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Toby
Toby as a girl's name is an androgynous adaptation of the traditionally male name Toby, itself a medieval English diminutive of Tobias. Tobias derives from the Hebrew name Tobiahu or Toviyyah, meaning 'Yahweh is good' or 'God is good.' The name appears in the biblical Book of Tobit and was popular in medieval England. Using Toby for girls is part of a long tradition of gender-crossing nickname names.
Toby for girls found a pop culture moment with the character Toby from the US TV series 'The West Wing' — though technically male — helping normalize the name. In Britain, Toby has occasionally been used for girls, especially in the mid-20th century.
In Australia and the UK, Toby is considered a warm, approachable name with a slightly old-fashioned charm. As a girl's name, it carries the double appeal of vintage character and modern androgynous style.
Historical Record
Toby first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,237 babies have been named Toby in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Toby is past its peak , currently ranked #2,005 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Toby appears in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' as Sir Toby Belch
- The name Tobias appears in both the Old and New Testament Apocrypha
- Toby has been used as a girl's name in English literature since at least the 19th century
Toby in Other Languages
Greek
Τωβίας
German
Tobias
Hebrew
טוביה
Italian
Tobia
Spanish
Tobías
Popularity Over Time
#2,005
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Toby
T
Toby Young
Writer
1963
British journalist and author of 'How to Lose Friends and Alienate People'
T
Toby Flenderson Fictional
Other
Fictional HR representative on the US TV show The Office, played by Paul Lieberstein
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,005
- Total SSA Count
- 98
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Tobes
Tob
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Toby
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Toby is also used as a boy name, ranked #1106.
View Toby as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Toby
What does the name Toby mean?
"God is good" (from Hebrew). "Yahweh is good" (from Hebrew). Toby as a girl's name is an androgynous adaptation of the traditionally male name Toby, itself a medieval English diminutive of Tobias. Tobias derives from the Hebrew name Tobiahu or Toviyyah, meaning 'Yahweh is good' or 'God is good.' The name appears in the biblical Book of Tobit and was popular in medieval England. Using Toby for girls is part of a long tradition of gender-crossing nickname names.
What is the origin of the name Toby?
Toby has Hebrew, English, American, and Australian origins. In Hebrew, it means "God is good". In Hebrew, it means "Yahweh is good".
Is Toby a boy or girl name?
Toby is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2005. As a boy name, it is ranked #1106. Toby is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Toby?
Toby is pronounced t-OHB-ee.
How popular is the name Toby?
Toby is currently ranked #2005 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Toby?
Common nicknames for Toby include Tobes and Tob.
What are good middle names for Toby?
Popular middle name pairings include Toby Anne, Toby Jane, Toby Rose, Toby Grace, Toby Mae, Toby Claire, and Toby Leigh.
What are good sibling names for Toby?
Names that pair well with Toby as siblings include Archie, Milo, Wren, Nell, Jasper, Olive, and Remy.
How many syllables does Toby have?
Toby has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Toby a common or rare name?
Toby is an uncommon name, ranked #2005 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Toby
Toby is a girl name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "God is good" in Hebrew .
Is Toby a boy or girl name? Toby is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,005 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,106. Toby is more commonly used as a boy name.
Toby is currently ranked #2,005 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Toby has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-OHB-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Toby include Tobes and Tob. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis