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Tobias Boy

Popularity: #265 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

Pronunciationtoh-BY-us / /təˈbaɪəs/

Hebrew; Greek; Latin

Meaning

Hebrew: 'God is good'; Greek: 'the Lord is good'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Tobias has its roots in the Hebrew name טוֹבִיָּה (Toviyah), which translates to "God is good." This name was later adapted into Greek as Τοβίας (Tobias) and subsequently passed into Latin as Tobias. The transition into English occurred through the influence of the Latin Vulgate, a late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible, where the name appears in the Book of Tobit, a deuterocanonical text. This biblical connection has significantly shaped the name's historical presence in Christian contexts.

Tobias is notably associated with the biblical figure from the Book of Tobit, which recounts the story of Tobit and his son Tobias, who embarks on a journey that leads to themes of faith, healing, and divine providence. The narrative has been influential in Jewish and Christian traditions, particularly during the Middle Ages when the text was popular among scholars and laypeople alike. The name gained further prominence through various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version in the early 17th century, which helped to solidify its place in Christian nomenclature.

Culturally, Tobias has been embraced in various forms of literature and art, often symbolizing virtue and righteousness. The name has also been linked to various saints, including Saint Tobias, who is commemorated in some Christian calendars. The diminutive form, Toby, has emerged as a familiar variant, often used affectionately. Overall, the name Tobias carries a rich historical and cultural resonance, reflecting its biblical origins and the enduring themes of goodness and divine favor.

Trend Summary

Tobias has seen a resurgence in popularity in the United States, ranking within the top 100 names in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Toby
  • Tobiah

International Variants

  • Tobías (Spanish)
  • Tobiasz (Polish)
  • Tobias (German)
  • Tobias (Dutch)

Famous people named Tobias

Tobias Menzies is an actor best known for Outlander, Game of Thrones, and The Terror.

Tobias Forge is a musician best known for being the lead vocalist of the band Ghost.

Tobias Harris is a professional basketball player best known for playing with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Fictional characters named Tobias

Tobias is a fictional character from the book series Animorphs. He is one of the main characters who can transform into a hawk, providing unique perspectives and abilities in their fight against alien invaders.

Tobias Eaton is a fictional character from the novel Divergent. He is a key character known for his role as a member of the Dauntless faction and his relationship with the protagonist, Tris Prior.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Tobias was first seen in the United States in 1880. Tobias has ranked as high as #440 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Tobias has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Tobias (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 112
10%
CA 90
8%
FL 67
6%
OH 60
5%
PA 45
4%
WA 43
4%
NY 42
4%
MO 39
3%
IN 38
3%
TN 37
3%
MI 37
3%
NC 36
3%
OK 34
3%
IL 33
3%
GA 31
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18807
18836
18848
18887
188910
18907
18925
18936
18975
19005
19018
19025
19045
19068
19086
19108
19115
191211
19137
191411
191516
191620
191727
191823
191916
192021
192124
192217
192315
192418
192511
192613
192718
192810
19298
19308
19318
193211
193315
193422
19359
19368
19376
19387
193913
194018
194120
194218
194315
194417
194514
194615
194711
19489
194923
195027
195127
195228
195315
195415
195520
195620
195724
195830
195937
196045
196149
196243
196355
196447
196570
196651
196757
196858
1969101
1970142
1971126
1972140
1973149
1974212
1975239
1976277
1977256
1978282
1979279
1980246
1981208
1982194
1983155
1984144
1985155
1986173
1987151
1988186
1989196
1990199
1991191
1992163
1993197
1994186
1995220
1996203
1997262
1998317
1999328
2000340
2001365
2002427
2003495
2004492
2005520
2006552
2007572
2008507
2009535
2010495
2011479
2012520
2013567
2014742
20151,123
20161,523
20171,343
20181,294
20191,318
20201,292
20211,243
20221,260
20231,220
20241,210