Tobin is a unique and uncommon name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Tobaim, which is believed to have been originally formed from the elements "ó," meaning grandson or male descendant of, and "Tobair," meaning well or tomb. Therefore, the literal translation of Tobin would be something like "descendant of the well" or "descendant of the tomb."
The name Tobin has a rich history in Ireland. It is believed to have been brought to Ireland by the Norse-Vikings who settled there in the 9th and 10th centuries. The Ó Tobaim clan was one of several powerful Norman families who played significant roles in Irish politics and culture during the Middle Ages.
In modern times, Tobin has been used as both a given name and surname. While it is still relatively uncommon, it has gained some popularity in recent years, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States and Canada.
Overall, the name Tobin is of proud Irish heritage, with a unique and interesting meaning and history behind it. Whether used as a given name or surname, Tobin carries with it a sense of strength and character that reflects its Irish roots.
The name Tobin experienced a significant rise and fall in popularity over the course of these statistics, with its peak occurring much later than expected. The earliest years showed modest numbers, with only five births recorded in 1941. However, by 1957, there was a notable spike to 39 births, indicating increased popularity around that time. This trend continued into the late 1960s and early 1970s, reaching its peak in 1971 with 132 births.
After this high point, the number of births with the name Tobin began to decrease gradually but consistently, dropping from triple digits in 1975 to only 46 births in 1980. This downward trend continued until the late 1980s and early 1990s when the numbers stabilized around the mid-thirties range.
Interestingly, there was another brief spike in popularity in the late 2000s and early 2010s, with over 150 births recorded each year between 2010 and 2014. However, this increase did not last long, and by 2016, the numbers had fallen back down to around 80 births per year.
In recent years, the name Tobin has continued its downward trend in popularity, with only 51 births recorded in 2023, marking a significant decrease from its peak decades earlier. Overall, the total number of births with the name Tobin over this period is 5486.