Toby Lister

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Toby Lister — Greek
29K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Toby Lister is a name that combines Greek origins. The first name Toby is a masculine given name of Greek origin. Toby is a given name in many English-speaking countries. The name is derived the Middle English vernacular form of Tobias. Tobias itself is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew טוביה Toviah, which translates to Good is Yahweh. Yahweh is the name of the Jewish God. It is also used as a contraction of Tobin, an Irish surname now also used as a forename. The name is traditionally masculine, but has also been in use for women since the 19th century. The surname Lister: The name probably comes from the Old Norse verb 'lita', meaning 'to dye' and rendered as 'lystare' in English. The noun for 'dyer' was 'litster' (Scottish), 'lit(t)e' (middle English), or 'lister' (English). The word was also associated with a 'salmon spear', rendered 'lyster' (Danish) or 'lister' (English). A 1533 Act of Parliament stated, "No person shall take in any crele, raw web, lister.... the young fry of salmon." The name took hold in areas of England in the 16th century known for the woollen industry, mainly Yorkshire, but also Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk. Toby is a rare first name, carried by approximately 29K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Toby reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Toby

Greek

Toby is a given name in many English-speaking countries. The name is derived the Middle English vernacular form of Tobias. Tobias itself is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew טוביה Toviah, which translates to Good is Yahweh. Yahweh is the name of the Jewish God. It is also used as a contraction of Tobin, an Irish surname now also used as a forename. The name is traditionally masculine, but has also been in use for women since the 19th century.

Surname: Lister

Norse

The name probably comes from the Old Norse verb 'lita', meaning 'to dye' and rendered as 'lystare' in English. The noun for 'dyer' was 'litster' (Scottish), 'lit(t)e' (middle English), or 'lister' (English). The word was also associated with a 'salmon spear', rendered 'lyster' (Danish) or 'lister' (English). A 1533 Act of Parliament stated, "No person shall take in any crele, raw web, lister.... the young fry of salmon." The name took hold in areas of England in the 16th century known for the woollen industry, mainly Yorkshire, but also Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Toby is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 50%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 14%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Toby by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Toby Lister:

1
Expression Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

2
Soul Urge Number

Cooperation and sensitivity. A diplomatic, gentle nature with strong empathy, thriving in partnerships and harmony.

8
Personality Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Toby?
The first name Toby originates from Greek. Toby is a given name in many English-speaking countries. The name is derived the Middle English vernacular form of Tobias. Tobias itself is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew טוביה Toviah, which translates to Good is Yahweh. Yahweh is the name of the Jewish God. It is also used as a contraction of Tobin, an Irish surname now also used as a forename. The name is traditionally masculine, but has also been in use for women since the 19th century.
When was Toby most popular?
The name Toby reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Lister?
The surname Lister originates from Norse. The name probably comes from the Old Norse verb 'lita', meaning 'to dye' and rendered as 'lystare' in English. The noun for 'dyer' was 'litster' (Scottish), 'lit(t)e' (middle English), or 'lister' (English). The word was also associated with a 'salmon spear', rendered 'lyster' (Danish) or 'lister' (English). A 1533 Act of Parliament stated, "No person shall take in any crele, raw web, lister.... the young fry of salmon." The name took hold in areas of England in the 16th century known for the woollen industry, mainly Yorkshire, but also Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk.
What are the origins of the name Toby Lister?
The name Toby Lister combines two different traditions: the first name Toby has Greek roots, while the surname Lister originates from Norse.
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