"God is good"
Tobin
Pronunciation: [ t-OHB-ihn ]
A handsome Irish-flavored name rooted in God is good
Meaning & Origin
"goodness of God"
The Story of Tobin
Tobin is an Irish and English surname-turned-given name, derived from Tobias, which comes from the Hebrew Toviyah meaning God is good or the goodness of God. The surname Tobin was brought to Ireland by Anglo-Norman settlers in the 12th century, where it became established as an Irish family name. As a given name, Tobin has a handsome vintage feel.
Tobin has gained traction as parents seek surname-style first names with literary and historical character. It benefits from the popularity of Toby as a nickname and fits the trend of Celtic-inflected names without being overused.
The Book of Tobit in the Catholic and Orthodox biblical traditions tells the story of Tobias and the angel Raphael, giving the Tobias/Tobin name family deep scriptural significance. In Ireland, Tobin remains a respected family name.
Fun Facts
- Tobin is related to Tobias, a hero of the Book of Tobit in the Catholic Bible
- The Tobin Bridge in Boston is one of the most recognizable spans in New England
- Actor Tobin Bell is famous for playing the Jigsaw Killer in the Saw franchise
Tobin in Other Languages
Famous People Named Tobin
Tobin Heath
Athlete
1988
American professional soccer player and two-time Olympic gold medalist with the US Women's National Team
Tobin Bell
Actor
1942
American actor famous for playing John Kramer (Jigsaw) in the Saw horror franchise
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,822
- Total SSA Count
- 46
- Cultural Origins
- Irish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Tobin is also used as a girl name, ranked #35905.
View Tobin as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tobin
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About the Name Tobin
Tobin is a boy name with Irish, English, and American origins . The name means "God is good" in Hebrew .
Is Tobin a boy or girl name? Tobin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,822 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #35,905. Tobin is more commonly used as a boy name.
Tobin is currently ranked #2,822 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Tobin has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-OHB-ihn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Tobin include Toby and Tob. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Tobin include Tobias, Tobi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.