Is Tobe a boy's or girl's name?

Tobe is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 29 recorded births.

When was Tobe most popular?

Tobe reached its peak popularity in 1916 with 20 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Tobe?

Tobe is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 949 babies in the U.S. since 1880. Its peak was in 1916.

Tobe

An uncommon Hebrew pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsHebrewNot ranked recently Also a pet name

Rare name

Meaning & Origin

A male given name, diminutive of Toby.

Tobe is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a diminutive of Tobias or Toby, from the Hebrew Tobiyah, meaning 'God is good' or 'the goodness of God.' It represents the name in its most stripped-back, direct form.

Tobe has the pleasing abruptness of vintage nicknames given as formal names — two syllables reduced to one, the entire theological meaning of Tobias compressed into four letters. Rare and quietly distinctive, it has an old-world simplicity that feels increasingly fresh.

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Popularity Over Time

Tobe has 103+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Tobe
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	16	#13306	▼
2010s	20	#11284	▼
2000s	50	#10240	▲
1990s	15	#7925	▼
1980s	25	#6084	▼
1970s	91	#3678	▲
1960s	55	#3428	▲
1950s	42	#3600	▼
1940s	66	#3157	▲
1930s	55	#2944	▼
1920s	108	#2983	▼
1910s	136	#1962	▲
1900s	58	#1025	▼
1890s	91	#800	▼
1880s	121	#589	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(103 years, 1880–2022)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Tobe
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2022	6	#12168	+1 (20.0%)
2021	5	#13888	0
2020	5	#13862	-3 (-37.5%)
2013	8	#9576	+2 (33.3%)
2012	6	#12143	0
2011	6	#12134	-1 (-14.3%)
2009	7	#10862	+2 (40.0%)
2007	5	#14204	-3 (-37.5%)
2006	8	#9494	+2 (33.3%)
2005	6	#11339	-2 (-25.0%)
2004	8	#8844	0
2003	8	#8558	0
2002	8	#8376	+1 (14.3%)
1999	7	#8628	-1 (-12.5%)
1997	8	#7221	+1 (14.3%)
1983	7	#5438	+2 (40.0%)
1982	5	#7291	-2 (-28.6%)
1981	7	#5433	+1 (16.7%)
1980	6	#6173	-1 (-14.3%)
1979	7	#5319	-4 (-36.4%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Tobe as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Tobe has also been given to 29 girls in the U.S. since 1945.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1964

Peak year

Compare Tobe as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Tobe be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Tobe is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it is not currently ranked. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Tobe has two lives

Tobe, the baby name

Rareboys

949 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2022) · Methodology