Toivo is of Finnish origin, meaning 'life'. It gained popularity during the romantic era inspired by Finnish epic poetry and folklore. The name has been traditionally used in Finland but has since gained international recognition due to its unique sound and meaning.
The name Toivo experienced significant fluctuations in popularity during this period. It peaked around World War I with 49 births in 1917 and 57 births in 1918. However, it declined sharply afterward, dropping to just 6 births in 1929 and 5 births in 1930. Over these three decades, a total of 535 children were named Toivo.