Toby

Toby is a familiar form of Tobias, itself from the Hebrew name Toviyah meaning "God is good." It passed through Greek and Latin before landing in everyday English as a cheerful, accessible nickname. The name has a long folk history in Britain and America — unpretentious, friendly, and full of good humor.

At #15 on the US pet name charts with over 3,100 registered companions, Toby is the kind of name that just fits. It has a rhythmic bounce that seems to match the way a companion moves through a room: alert, curious, a little mischievous. The name suits both the spirited and the serene, which may explain why it has stayed so consistently popular across decades. Whether you're calling it out at the dog park or whispering it to a small creature on your lap, Toby always sounds exactly right.