Find out how popular the first name Tobiah has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tobiah by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Tobiah is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 13 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Tobiah.

The history of the first name Tobiah

The name Tobiah has its origins in the Hebrew language and is derived from the word "Tov," meaning "good," and "Yah," a shortened form of the Hebrew name for God, Yahweh. This combination results in the meaning "God is good" or "Goodness of God."

The earliest recorded use of the name Tobiah can be found in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Book of Nehemiah and the apocryphal Book of Tobit. In the Book of Nehemiah, Tobiah is mentioned as an Ammonite official who opposed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. The Book of Tobit, on the other hand, features Tobiah (or Tobit) as the central character, a pious and righteous man who goes blind but is eventually healed through divine intervention.

The name Tobiah appears to have been prevalent among Jewish communities during ancient times. One notable individual bearing this name was Tobiah ben Eliezer, a Jewish scholar who lived in the 11th century and wrote several important works on Hebrew grammar and biblical exegesis.

Moving forward in history, the name Tobiah was also used by some Christian communities, particularly in English-speaking countries. One of the earliest known English bearers of the name was Tobiah Matthew, an English Protestant scholar and Bible translator who lived from around 1546 to 1628.

Another notable figure with the name Tobiah was Tobiah Smollett, a Scottish novelist and playwright born in 1721. He is best known for his picaresque novels, including "The Adventures of Roderick Random" and "The Expedition of Humphry Clinker."

In the 19th century, Tobiah Pitt was a prominent American Quaker and abolitionist who worked tirelessly to end slavery. He was born in 1773 and lived until 1857.

The name Tobiah also has a connection to the arts, with Tobiah Smollett, a British painter and engraver who lived from 1766 to 1843, being one of the notable bearers of the name during this period.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Tobiah, each contributing to the rich tapestry of its usage and significance across various cultures and time periods.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Tobiah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tobiah, please contact us.

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