Toby facts for kids

Toby is a boy's name that comes from the Hebrew name Tobiah. It means "God is good" or "the goodness of God." This name is often used in English-speaking countries.

The History and Meaning of Toby

The name Toby has a long history. It comes from the ancient Hebrew name Tobiah, which was popular in biblical times. Over time, Tobiah became Tobias in Greek and Latin. The shorter form, Toby, became popular in England during the Middle Ages.

How Toby Became a Common Name

Toby became more widely known in English culture because of a famous play by William Shakespeare called Twelfth Night. In this play, there is a character named Sir Toby Belch. This helped the name become more familiar to people.

Variations of the Name Toby

While Toby is a common spelling, you might also see other versions. For example, Tobias is a longer form of the name. In some countries, people might use Tobie or Tobia. All these names share the same meaning and origin.

Famous People Named Toby

Many people around the world have been named Toby. Here are a few examples:

• Toby Keith (1961–2024): He was a very famous country music singer and songwriter from the United States. He wrote many popular songs and was known for his patriotic themes.
• Toby Maguire (born 1975): An American actor best known for playing Spider-Man in the early 2000s movies. He has also starred in many other films.
• Toby Jones (born 1966): A talented English actor who has appeared in many movies and TV shows. He is known for his roles in films like The Hunger Games and Captain America.

Toby in Popular Culture

The name Toby also appears in many stories, movies, and TV shows. Sometimes, characters are given the name Toby because it sounds friendly or dependable. For example, there's a famous dog named Toby in the Sherlock Holmes stories.