"God is good"
Origin: Hebrew Tuviyah
Language: Hebrew
Tobi
Does Tobi flow with your last name?
A globally warm name meaning God is good
Hebrew
German
English
Nigerian
Japanese
Classic
Playful
Gentle
Traditional
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"great one"
Origin: Yoruba
Language: Yoruba
"short form of Tobias"
Origin: Greek Tobias
Language: Greek
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The Story of Tobi
Tobi is a short form of Tobias, from the Hebrew name Tuviyah meaning 'God (Yahweh) is good.' The name appears in the Hebrew Bible and the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit. Tobi is used as both a standalone name and nickname across Germanic, African, and Asian cultures, with different etymological roots in each tradition.
Tobi gained popularity across multiple cultures simultaneously — as a Hebrew biblical name, a Nigerian given name (from the Yoruba Tobi meaning 'great one' or short for names like Oluwatobi), and a nickname for Tobias in German-speaking countries. This cross-cultural presence makes it internationally familiar.
In Yoruba culture (Nigeria), Tobi or Oluwatobi means 'God is great,' making it a common given name with deep spiritual meaning. In Hebrew tradition, the name connects to the Book of Tobit, a story of faith and healing.
Historical Record
Tobi first appeared in US Social Security records in 1966.
Over 600 babies have been named Tobi in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Tobi is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,129 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Tobi is one of the few names with completely independent origins in Hebrew, Yoruba, and Japanese cultures
- The Book of Tobit (Tobias) is one of the oldest stories featuring this name, dating to around 225-175 BCE
Tobi in Other Languages
German
Tobi
Hebrew
טוֹבִי
Yoruba
Tobi
Spanish
Tobi
Japanese
トビ
Popularity Over Time
#4,129
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Tobi
T
Tobi Lou
Musician
1997
American rapper and singer known for indie pop and hip-hop style
T
Tobi Fawehinmi
Athlete
Professional footballer who has played in European leagues
T
Tobi (Naruto) Fictional
Other
Character in the Naruto anime series, one of the masked members of Akatsuki
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Compare Tobi with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,129
- Total SSA Count
- 26
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew German English Nigerian Japanese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Toby
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
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 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Tobi
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Tobi is also used as a girl name, ranked #6954.
View Tobi as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Old English brad origin
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Mica
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Hebrew origin
"who is like God"
#4,033 in US
Trust
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Middle English origin
"firm belief in reliability"
#4,270 in US
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Middle English origin
"thicket keeper"
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Old English origin
"steward, household manager"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tobi
What does the name Tobi mean?
"God is good" (from Hebrew Tuviyah). "great one" (from Yoruba). "short form of Tobias" (from Greek Tobias). Tobi is a short form of Tobias, from the Hebrew name Tuviyah meaning 'God (Yahweh) is good.' The name appears in the Hebrew Bible and the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit. Tobi is used as both a standalone name and nickname across Germanic, African, and Asian cultures, with different etymological roots in each tradition.
What is the origin of the name Tobi?
Tobi has Hebrew Tuviyah, Yoruba, Greek Tobias, Hebrew, German, English, Nigerian, and Japanese origins. In Hebrew Tuviyah, it means "God is good". In Yoruba, it means "great one". In Greek Tobias, it means "short form of Tobias".
Is Tobi a boy or girl name?
Tobi is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4129. As a girl name, it is ranked #6954. Tobi is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Tobi?
Tobi is currently ranked #4129 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Tobi?
Common nicknames for Tobi include Toby.
What are good middle names for Tobi?
Popular middle name pairings include Tobi James, Tobi Lee, Tobi Alexander, Tobi Michael, Tobi William, Tobi John, and Tobi Ray.
What are good sibling names for Tobi?
Names that pair well with Tobi as siblings include Levi, Eli, Ava, Mia, Noah, Jonah, and Cora.
How many syllables does Tobi have?
Tobi has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Tobi a common or rare name?
Tobi is an uncommon name, ranked #4129 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Tobi?
Are there other spellings for Tobi?
About the Name Tobi
Tobi is a boy name with Hebrew, German, English, Nigerian, and Japanese origins . The name means "God is good" in Hebrew Tuviyah .
Is Tobi a boy or girl name? Tobi is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,129 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #6,954. Tobi is more commonly used as a boy name.
Tobi is currently ranked #4,129 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Tobi has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Tobi include Toby. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Tobi include Tobias, Toby, Tobin, Tobechukwu . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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