View Message

[Opinions] Tobias
What do you think of Tobias? Do you like the nn Toby? Do you prefer Tobiah?I only like it said to-BY-as, not to-BEE-ahs. to-BY-as would be the standard English pronounciation, right? I'm half German and know lots of boys named this from Germany all pronounced to-BEE-ahs, which is a pronunciation I do not like at all. I've never met an american Tobias.
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

They're both good. I prefer Tobias to Tobiah though. I prefer your prn. to the German one... It's not overdone in N.Am. and that's a point in its favour for sure... Toby's ok as a nn... I think I've met 1 boy named Toby and know of a singer/former rapper named Toby (not sure if either was short for Tobias)... and I believe I've known 2 girls named Tobi, which is kinda cool.
vote up1
I prefer Toby to Tobias, which sounds rather pompous. You're right about to-BY-as, and I also prefer it in English.That said, I'm not American.
vote up1
Tobias is a handsome name. I don't really care for the nickname Toby. If I had a son named Tobias, I would just call him Tobias (no nickname).I prefer Tobias to Tobiah. Tobiah sounds much more Biblical. I'm not Christian, and would feel a little bit odd using Tobiah for that reason. Tobias seems more suitable for people who aren't Christian. I'm not saying that someone needs to be Christian to use a name like Tobiah or another -iah nor do I have a problem with Biblical names; it's just a personal preference of mine to not use a name that sounds very Biblical. I live in the U.S., and I pronounce Tobias to-BY-as. That is how I usually hear Tobias pronounced here.I know of an American Toby. I'm not sure if Toby is short for Tobias or not, but it might be. Aside from him, I don't know of anyone named Toby or Tobias.
vote up1
I'm not a fan of Tobias, bur can tolerate it if pronounced to-BEE-ahs (the only one I know is German and uses this pronunciation). I thoroughly dislike Toby.
vote up1
A (U.S.) co-worker's significant other is Tobias ("to-BIE-us"). He's almost 40 years old. I was very impressed when she told me his name. I've always found it to be very distinguished and cool. I like the nn Toby. It reminds me of Toby Tyler running away to join the circus. :-P My stock combo for it is Tobias Joel.
vote up1
I have bad associations with Tobias. I like Toby as a nickname for it, but I don't prefer Tobiah.
In English I would prn it to-BY-as, but in Swedish to-BEE-ahs.
vote up1
I love Tobias, I think it's one of the strongest names there is but it does seem a little too much for a small boy to carry, so I do like Toby for that reason. I'm not sure if I like Tobiah more, it's pretty close contention for me and though I usually like -s endings on Biblical names (Isaias and Josias over Isaiah and Josiah) I think in this case it's nice because it softens the sound a little bit after the hard T and B.
vote up1
LOVE THIS NAME!
It is my top boys name after recently passing Isaac for the top stop. I pronounce it to-BY-as, which as you've pointed out I believe to be the standard English spelling. I used the like the nickname Toby but I do not any more - I think it sounds like a small dog. I love Tobias, Tobiah is nice but I don't prefer it.
vote up1
Tobias is...okay. There is nothing wrong with it, but it's never been one of my favorites.I like Toby. I've only pronounced the name to-BY-as.
vote up1