Tobenna
A boy's name of Igbo origin with 257 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. boy's names, Tobenna currently holds position #7668. It is known but far from saturated — a name that registers without repeating.
With records spanning 1999 to 2024, Tobenna has a focused history that reflects a particular moment in naming culture rather than a centuries-old tradition.
In the most recent SSA release, Tobenna ranks #7668 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Tobenna is a boy's baby name of Igbo origin from Nigeria, meaning 'our father is good' or 'the father is great' — a compound of tob (good, related to the Hebrew Tov) and enna (our father). In Igbo naming tradition, names often carry declarations about the divine father, expressing gratitude and faith in a form that the child carries throughout their life.
Warm and theologically rich, Tobenna is a name that expresses thanks before the child is even old enough to understand what they're carrying.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Tobenna is rooted in the Igbo tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1999 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Tobenna’s rarity (257 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tobenna climbed 425 spots in the last 20 years — from #8093 to #7668.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 67 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 117 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 68 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 5 | — |
The Story of Tobenna
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Tobenna is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Tobenna are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Tobenna?
Only about 1 in every 327,273 babies born in 2024 was named Tobenna — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1999, peaked in the 2010s with 117 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Tobenna by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(25 years, 1999–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | #7668 |
| 2023 | 21 | #4869 |
| 2022 | 13 | #6778 |
| 2021 | 11 | #7522 |
| 2020 | 11 | #7448 |
| 2019 | 5 | #13937 |
| 2018 | 15 | #6011 |
| 2017 | 16 | #5760 |
| 2016 | 11 | #7551 |
| 2015 | 14 | #6285 |
| 2014 | 13 | #6588 |
| 2013 | 8 | #9577 |
| 2012 | 8 | #9621 |
| 2011 | 12 | #6965 |
| 2010 | 15 | #6005 |
| 2009 | 6 | #12337 |
| 2008 | 5 | #14408 |
| 2007 | 6 | #12214 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11924 |
| 2005 | 12 | #6593 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1999–2024