Toby

Toby is a masculine given name, commonly used as a diminutive of Tobias, but it may also be given as a standalone name. The form Tobias derives from Hebrew Toviyah, often interpreted as "Yahweh is good" or "God is good." The English nickname Toby has been in occasional use since at least the 18th century and remains common in English-speaking countries. Variants include Tobie and Tobias.

In literature and media, Toby appears as a range of characters, from Sir Toby Belch in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to contemporary figures in film, television, and literature. The broader form Tobias is used in religious and historical contexts; Tobias is the hero of the Book of Tobit in the biblical tradition, and the name appears in various languages with spelling variants.

Notable people named Toby include British actor Toby Jones and American country musician Toby Keith. The name is widely used across disciplines, including sports, arts, and science, reflecting its broad popularity in English-speaking societies.