Tobey

Meaning & origin

Tobey is a spelling variant of Toby, itself a diminutive of Tobias, rooted in the Hebrew 'Toviyyah' meaning 'Yahweh is good.' While the name has biblical origins through the Book of Tobit, its distinct spelling Tobey gained modest visibility in the United States only after 1924, when it first appeared in Social Security records. The name saw its peak popularity in 2003, possibly influenced by actor Tobey Maguire's role as Spider-Man. Since 2004, however, usage has been declining, and as of 2025 it remains a rare choice, given to roughly 1 in 213,510 newborns. No state recorded Tobey among its top names in recent years, reflecting its status as an uncommon but recognizable variant. The spelling's blend of familiarity and distinctiveness may appeal to parents seeking an alternative to the more frequent Toby.

Tobey is a variant spelling of Toby, which is an English diminutive of Tobias. Tobias derives from the Hebrew name Toviyyah, meaning 'Yahweh is good.' The name appears in the biblical Book of Tobit, though its use as an English given name became common only in the 20th century. The spelling Tobey emerged as a less common variant, possibly influenced by the actor Tobey Maguire.