Tobey Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Tobey originates from the Hebrew name Toviyah, meaning 'God is good'. It has evolved through various historical forms such as Tobiah before becoming popular in modern English. The name is associated with positive traits and has biblical significance. It gained popularity in the late 20th century and is viewed favorably in contemporary culture.
The name Tobey is most popular in Maine, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Tobey has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Tobey' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7545th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4917th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2506th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1583rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4156th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2748th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6443rd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6965th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4485th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3906th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2943rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 10206th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 35406th out of 35406 names. Discover how the name 'Tobey' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Tobey"
Pronunciation
/ˈtoʊbi/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Tobey is derived from the Hebrew name 'Toviyah', meaning 'God is good'.
Meaning
God is good
Language Evolution
Toviyah, Tobiah, Tobey
Biblical Background
Tobey has biblical roots as it is related to the name Tobiah, which appears in the Hebrew Bible.
Historical Usage
The name Tobey gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the late 20th century, partially due to cultural influences such as film and television.
Variants & Derivatives
Tobias, Toby, Tobey
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Tobey is often perceived as a friendly and approachable name, partly due to its association with popular culture figures.
Famous People
Tobey Maguire, Tobey Keith
Explore More Tobey Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Tobey"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Tobey"
"Tobey" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 7545th of 7545 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4917th of 6773 | 26 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2506th of 7552 | 202 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1583rd of 10718 | 488 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4156th of 16616 | 191 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2748th of 24088 | 622 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 6443rd of 23106 | 156 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6965th of 9107 | 17 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4485th of 9204 | 72 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3906th of 12526 | 185 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2943rd of 19264 | 387 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 10206th of 27321 | 92 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 35406th of 35406 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Tobey" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
60.24% 2098th/3483 |
64.38% 2265th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
67.60% 3511th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
56.41% 2913th/5164 |
44.63% 3264th/7313 |
33.03% 2465th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - |
63.67% 3996th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Tobey" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
100.00% 1416th/1416 |
- | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
100.00% 1546th/1546 |
- | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
100.00% 2430th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
100.00% 2937th/2937 |
75.48% 2629th/3483 |
- |
87.17% 3525th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Tobey"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Tobey" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.