Tobias Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Tobias Name Meaning

Fact: In Jewish culture, Tobias is often chosen for its meaningful connection to faith and goodness​

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A Deep Dive

Tobias Overview

Meaning

God is good

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew, Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Toviyah,” meaning “God is good.”

Religion

Christianity, Judaism

Pronunciation

/ˈtoʊbaɪ.əs/

Popularity

Tobias is well-regarded in Germany, Sweden, and other European countries. In 2023, Tobias ranked #278 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Traditional, Religious and Spiritual, Classic

Associated Traits

Artistic, kind, gentle

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with the biblical figure Tobias, who is featured in the Book of Tobit.

Name Day

July 13 (Sweden)
A Deep Dive

Tobias Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Tobiah, Tobin, Tobius, Toby, Tobías

Common Nicknames

Toby, Tobes, Tobie, Bias

Diminutives

Tob, Tobey, Tobe, Tobi, Bas

Famous People

  • Tobias Wolff
    (American Author)
  • Tobias Menzies
    (British Actor)
  • Tobias Harris
    (American Basketball Player)
  • Tobias Sammet
    (German Musician)
  • Tobias Forge
    (Swedish Musician)
  • Tobias Hoesl
    (German Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Tobias Funke
    ("Arrested Development," TV Series)
  • "Tobias and the Angel"
    (Film)
  • Tobias Eaton
    ("Divergent," Film Series)
  • Tobias Ragg
    ("Sweeney Todd," Film)
  • "Tobias"
    (Novel by William Goyen)
  • Tobias Beecher
    ("Oz," TV Series)

Places

  • Tobias Fornier Municipality
    (Antique, Philippines)
  • Tobias Lake
    (Saskatchewan, Canada)
  • Tobias Barreto City
    (Sergipe, Brazil)
  • Tobias Island
    (Greenland)

What Is the Meaning of Tobias?

Tobias translates to “God is good” or “God is my good.” The name suggests a sense of faith and gratitude, often associated with kindness and a positive outlook on life.

What Is the Origin of The Name Tobias?

The name Tobias originates from the Hebrew name “Toviyahu,” which means “Yahweh is good.” It has biblical roots, appearing in the Old Testament, and has been adopted across various cultures and languages over centuries.

Tobias Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Tobias in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2762021#2762022#2802023
Top 3 Rankings#2462016#2632020#2692017

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Tobias

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023280
(-4 from 2022)
1213
(-42 from 2022)
0.06624
2022276
No change from 2021
1255
(+13 from 2021)
0.06701
2021276
(-13 from 2020)
1242
(-47 from 2020)
0.06629
2020263
(+9 from 2019)
1289
(-27 from 2019)
0.06969
2019272
(+1 from 2018)
1316
(+23 from 2018)
0.06848
2018273
(-4 from 2017)
1293
(-49 from 2017)
0.06652
2017269
(-23 from 2016)
1342
(-180 from 2016)
0.06781
2016246
(+70 from 2015)
1522
(+399 from 2015)
0.07514
2015316
(+102 from 2014)
1123
(+382 from 2014)
0.05493
2014418
(+68 from 2013)
741
(+174 from 2013)
0.03616
2013486
(+23 from 2012)
567
(+48 from 2012)
0.02806
2012509
(+21 from 2011)
519
(+41 from 2011)
0.02558
2011530
(-8 from 2010)
478
(-17 from 2010)
0.02353
2010522
(-18 from 2009)
495
(-40 from 2009)
0.02409
2009504
(+25 from 2008)
535
(+28 from 2008)
0.02522
2008529
(-57 from 2007)
507
(-64 from 2007)
0.02325
2007472
(+8 from 2006)
571
(+19 from 2006)
0.02578
2006480
(+1 from 2005)
552
(+32 from 2005)
0.02518
2005481
(+15 from 2004)
520
(+28 from 2004)
0.02444
2004496
(+1 from 2003)
492
(-3 from 2003)
0.02328
2003497
(+31 from 2002)
495
(+69 from 2002)
0.02356
2002528
(+41 from 2001)
426
(+61 from 2001)
0.02061
2001569
(+18 from 2000)
365
(+26 from 2000)
0.01765
2000587
(+4 from 1999)
339
(+11 from 1999)
0.01623
1999591
(+2 from 1998)
328
(+11 from 1998)
0.01609
1998593
(+46 from 1997)
317
(+55 from 1997)
0.01563
1997639
(+107 from 1996)
262
(+59 from 1996)
0.01311
1996746
(-28 from 1995)
203
(-17 from 1995)
0.01013
1995718
(+54 from 1994)
220
(+34 from 1994)
0.01094
1994772
(-29 from 1993)
186
(-11 from 1993)
0.00913
1993743
(+82 from 1992)
197
(+34 from 1992)
0.00954
1992825
(-88 from 1991)
163
(-28 from 1991)
0.00776
1991737
(-15 from 1990)
191
(-8 from 1990)
0.00901
1990722
(-21 from 1989)
199
(+3 from 1989)
0.00925
1989701
(-14 from 1988)
196
(+10 from 1988)
0.00935
1988687
(+59 from 1987)
186
(+35 from 1987)
0.00929
1987746
(-58 from 1986)
151
(-22 from 1986)
0.00774
1986688
(+25 from 1985)
173
(+19 from 1985)
0.00900
1985713
(+12 from 1984)
154
(+10 from 1984)
0.00800
1984725
(-33 from 1983)
144
(-10 from 1983)
0.00767
1983692
(-69 from 1982)
154
(-40 from 1982)
0.00826
1982623
(-28 from 1981)
194
(-14 from 1981)
0.01028
1981595
(-49 from 1980)
208
(-38 from 1980)
0.01117
1980546
(-48 from 1979)
246
(-33 from 1979)
0.01326
1979498
(-15 from 1978)
279
(-3 from 1978)
0.01558
1978483
(+29 from 1977)
282
(+26 from 1977)
0.01650
1977512
(-38 from 1976)
256
(-21 from 1976)
0.01498
1976474
(+47 from 1975)
277
(+38 from 1975)
0.01697
1975521
(+32 from 1974)
239
(+27 from 1974)
0.01473
1974553
(+100 from 1973)
212
(+63 from 1973)
0.01300
1973653
(+25 from 1972)
149
(+9 from 1972)
0.00923
1972678
(+55 from 1971)
140
(+14 from 1971)
0.00836
1971733
(-38 from 1970)
126
(-16 from 1970)
0.00693
1970695
(+78 from 1969)
142
(+41 from 1969)
0.00745
1969773
(+185 from 1968)
101
(+43 from 1968)
0.00552
1968958
(-2 from 1967)
58
(+1 from 1967)
0.00327
1967956
(+61 from 1966)
57
(+6 from 1966)
0.00320
19661017
(-144 from 1965)
51
(-19 from 1965)
0.00281
1965873
(+240 from 1964)
70
(+23 from 1964)
0.00369
19641113
(-93 from 1963)
47
(-8 from 1963)
0.00232
19631020
(+167 from 1962)
55
(+12 from 1962)
0.00266
19621187
(-67 from 1961)
43
(-6 from 1961)
0.00205
19611120
(+47 from 1960)
49
(+4 from 1960)
0.00227
19601167
(+113 from 1959)
45
(+8 from 1959)
0.00208
19591280
(+140 from 1958)
37
(+7 from 1958)
0.00171
19581420
(+213 from 1957)
30
(+6 from 1957)
0.00139
19571633
(+132 from 1956)
24
(+4 from 1956)
0.00110
19561765
(-40 from 1955)
20
No change from 1955
0.00093
19551725
(+319 from 1954)
20
(+5 from 1954)
0.00096
19542044
(-6 from 1953)
15
No change from 1953
0.00072
19532038
(-608 from 1952)
15
(-13 from 1952)
0.00075
19521430
(+1 from 1951)
28
(+1 from 1951)
0.00142
19511431
(-36 from 1950)
27
No change from 1950
0.00141
19501395
(+149 from 1949)
27
(+4 from 1949)
0.00148
19491544
(+1064 from 1948)
23
(+14 from 1948)
0.00128
19482608
(-252 from 1947)
9
(-2 from 1947)
0.00050
19472356
(-472 from 1946)
11
(-4 from 1946)
0.00059
19461884
(-32 from 1945)
15
(+1 from 1945)
0.00091
19451852
(-169 from 1944)
14
(-3 from 1944)
0.00102
19441683
(+226 from 1943)
17
(+2 from 1943)
0.00122
19431909
(-228 from 1942)
15
(-3 from 1942)
0.00103
19421681
(-149 from 1941)
18
(-2 from 1941)
0.00128
19411532
(+96 from 1940)
20
(+2 from 1940)
0.00159
19401628
(+330 from 1939)
18
(+5 from 1939)
0.00152
19391958
(+910 from 1938)
13
(+6 from 1938)
0.00115
19382868
(+307 from 1937)
7
(+1 from 1937)
0.00062
19373175
(-547 from 1936)
6
(-2 from 1936)
0.00055
19362628
(-99 from 1935)
8
(-1 from 1935)
0.00075
19352529
(-1070 from 1934)
9
(-13 from 1934)
0.00084
19341459
(+370 from 1933)
22
(+7 from 1933)
0.00207
19331829
(+484 from 1932)
15
(+4 from 1932)
0.00147
19322313
(+552 from 1931)
11
(+3 from 1931)
0.00102
19312865
(+157 from 1930)
8
No change from 1930
0.00075
19303022
(-42 from 1929)
8
No change from 1929
0.00071
19292980
(-321 from 1928)
8
(-2 from 1928)
0.00072
19282659
(-788 from 1927)
10
(-8 from 1927)
0.00088
19271871
(+431 from 1926)
18
(+5 from 1926)
0.00155
19262302
(+286 from 1925)
13
(+2 from 1925)
0.00113
19252588
(-694 from 1924)
11
(-7 from 1924)
0.00096
19241894
(+229 from 1923)
18
(+3 from 1923)
0.00154
19232123
(-171 from 1922)
15
(-2 from 1922)
0.00132
19221952
(-403 from 1921)
17
(-7 from 1921)
0.00151
19211549
(+145 from 1920)
24
(+3 from 1920)
0.00211
19201694
(+279 from 1919)
21
(+5 from 1919)
0.00191
19191973
(-434 from 1918)
16
(-7 from 1918)
0.00158
19181539
(-217 from 1917)
23
(-4 from 1917)
0.00219
19171322
(+272 from 1916)
27
(+7 from 1916)
0.00281
19161594
(+188 from 1915)
20
(+4 from 1915)
0.00217
19151782
(+193 from 1914)
16
(+5 from 1914)
0.00182
19141975
(+298 from 1913)
11
(+4 from 1913)
0.00161
19132273
(-746 from 1912)
7
(-4 from 1912)
0.00131
19121527
(+213 from 1911)
11
(+6 from 1911)
0.00244
19111740
(-547 from 1910)
5
(-3 from 1910)
0.00207
19101193
(+24 from 1908)
8
(+2 from 1908)
0.00384
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19081217
(-290 from 1906)
6
(-2 from 1906)
0.00361
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1906927
(+278 from 1904)
8
(+3 from 1904)
0.00555
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19041205
(-68 from 1902)
5
No change from 1902
0.00361
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19021137
(-358 from 1901)
5
(-3 from 1901)
0.00377
1901779
(+531 from 1900)
8
(+3 from 1900)
0.00692
19001310
(-253 from 1897)
5
No change from 1897
0.00308
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18971057
(-150 from 1893)
5
(-1 from 1893)
0.00410
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1893907
(+159 from 1892)
6
(+1 from 1892)
0.00496
18921066
(-252 from 1890)
5
(-2 from 1890)
0.00380
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1890814
(-186 from 1889)
7
(-3 from 1889)
0.00585
1889628
(+187 from 1888)
10
(+3 from 1888)
0.00840
1888815
(-114 from 1884)
7
(-1 from 1884)
0.00539
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1884701
(+98 from 1883)
8
(+2 from 1883)
0.00652
1883799
(-54 from 1880)
6
(-1 from 1880)
0.00533
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1880745
First SSA data recorded
7
First SSA data recorded
0.00591

American States Popularity Rankings for Tobias

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3652021#3782022#3872023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3282021#3312022#3392023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#4562021#3532022#3392023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#2542021#2732022#2942023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2252021#2442022#2642023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2732021#2702022#3752023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2232021#2492022#3212023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3112021#3872022#4692023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2132021#2662022#2282023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2702021#2432022#2092023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2322021#2112022#2082023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2952021#2922022#2832023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2452021#2532022#2882023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2002021#2092022#2372023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1702021#2002022#1572023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2582021#2102022#2282023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2982021#2522022#2492023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3512021#3742022#3092023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2502021#2072022#2642023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2502021#2872022#2462023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2602021#3452022#3032023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#5892021#2832022#2402023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3122021#4792022#3062023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3542021#3652022#3132023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#4602021#3202022#4912023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2492021#2112022#2542023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2632021#1882022#2222023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3142021#2582022#1772023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3252021#4112022#3492023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2812021#3042022#3252023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3142021#3322022#2032023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1912021#1162022#1832023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2352021#2212022#2922023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2502021#2092022#2842023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2782021#3062022#2442023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3442021#4602022#2492023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2202021#2662022#2652023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2712021#2782022#2532023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1452020#3362021#2162023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1242020#1552021#1032023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#3002021#2382022#1972023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1912019#2312021#2302022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1422020#2402021#2292022

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1712021#2282022#2162023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1562020#2672021#1852022

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2312019#2342022#2782023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2872006#2592011#2462022

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1142018#2472022#1522023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1542016#1392018#802022

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2262020

Popularity Rankings for Tobias in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#102020#82021#112022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#92021#112022#162023

Popularity in Slovakia

Slovakia flagSlovakia#142021#152022#112023

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#312013#322014#402015

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#512013#632014#512015

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#612003#832006#8752022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#982021#872022#1482023

Popularity in Czechia

Czechia flagCzechia#1062014#972015#952016

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#1012019#1042020#982021

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#1442021#1452022#1512023

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#1492019#1572020#1572021

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#2402020#1952021#2182022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2262021#2642022#3122023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2642021#2642022#2482023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2622021#4252022#3412023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2972021#4592022#3702023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4642020#4192021#3002022

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3172021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#6312021#4542022#3432023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Tobias a Name for Boys or Girls?

The name Tobias is primarily given to boys, tracing back to its historical use and masculine sound.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Tobias

Tobias in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Tobias Wolff (Author, born 1945): An American author best known for his memoir "This Boy's Life" and his short stories.
  • Tobias Menzies (Actor, born 1974): A British actor recognized for his roles in "Outlander" and "The Crown."
  • Tobias Harris (Basketball Player, born 1992): An American professional basketball player who plays in the NBA.
  • Tobias Sammet (Musician, born 1977): A German musician and lead vocalist of the power metal band Edguy and the metal opera project Avantasia.
  • Tobias Forge (Musician, born 1981): A Swedish musician and singer-songwriter, the frontman of the rock band Ghost.
  • Tobias Hoesl (Actor, born 1961): A German actor known for his roles in European television series and films.
  • Tobias Santelmann (Actor, born 1980): A Norwegian actor who has appeared in international films and TV series, including "The Last Kingdom."
  • Tobias Picker (Composer, born 1954): An American composer known for his operas and orchestral works.
  • Tobias Funke ("Arrested Development," 2003 TV Series): A quirky and eccentric former psychiatrist who aspires to become an actor.
  • "Tobias and the Angel" (1999 Film): A drama that tells the story of a young boy guided by an angel to help his family.
  • Tobias Eaton ("Divergent," 2014 Film Series): A key character known for his strength and bravery in the dystopian world of factions.
  • Tobias Ragg ("Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," 2007 Film): A young orphan who becomes the assistant to the murderous barber Sweeney Todd.
  • "Tobias" (2007 Novel by William Goyen): Explores the life and struggles of a man named Tobias in a small American town.
  • Tobias Beecher ("Oz," 1997 TV Series): A lawyer who is imprisoned and faces numerous challenges in the harsh environment of a maximum-security penitentiary.
  • "Tobias and the Tree" (2010 Children's Book): A delightful story about a young boy named Tobias and his adventures with a magical tree.
  • Tobias Hankel ("Criminal Minds," 2006 TV Series): A troubled character who becomes a serial killer and targets FBI agents.
  • Tobias Whale ("Black Lightning," 2018 TV Series): A powerful crime lord and the main antagonist in the superhero series.
  • Tobias Fornier Municipality (Antique, Philippines): A municipality in the province of Antique, characterized by its coastal and rural landscapes.
  • Tobias Lake (Saskatchewan, Canada): A lake situated in central Saskatchewan, popular for fishing and camping.
  • Tobias Barreto City (Sergipe, Brazil): A city in the state of Sergipe, known for its cultural heritage and local crafts.
  • Tobias Creek (California, USA): A stream located in the northern Sierra Nevada region.
  • Tobias Peak (New Mexico, USA): A mountain peak in the Sacramento Mountains offering hiking and scenic views.
  • Tobias Island (Nunavut, Canada): A small, uninhabited island in the Arctic Archipelago.
  • Tobias Forest (Bavaria, Germany): A forested area in southern Germany, noted for its biodiversity and hiking trails.
  • Tobias River (Queensland, Australia): A river flowing through the tropical region of northern Queensland.

Similar Names to Tobias

Sibling Names for Tobias