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Original poster

Opinions on this boy's name

41 replies

Hippo222 · 31/05/2021 06:08

I don't live in the UK or Us and my husband is not British either (I am, with a very Irish surname)

We've always had backup girls names but never boy's names.

Watching the Derek Chauvin trial I was blown away by Dr Martin Tobin and his testimony. Not only has he dedicated his life to saving others, he volunteered and didn't accept payment to attend trial - he just wanted to ensure justice was served. I just found the guy really inspiring and said to my dh if we have a boy let's name him Tobin.

So now we know it's a boy, and getting quite settled on the name.

I hadn't heard of the serial killer until I searched on mn to see if anyone had asked about the name. I wanted to show respect to someone who did something so great - not something so evil.

I am also am slightly concerned that although I've seen Tobin used as a first name, combining one Irish surname with another Irish surname might be a bit much. Although my Irish name comes from generations back and I have never stepped foot in Ireland.

The other option is Martin but it doesn't have the same significance, plus very close friends of ours have a son called Martin. I would nickname Marty but then you've got Marty Mcfly.

I've name changed because I've already told my mum the name and she told me she would Google to see who else was called Tobin (maybe she knows the serial killer connection and is trying to be gentle) but don't want her to identify me on here as my usual self.

I already feel it fits and my dh has already changed the baby's nickname from Blobby to Tobby when talking to bump. Would you just go for the name you love, even though it's a killer name? I've seen babies named Huntley and nobody cares about Ian Huntley. There are also babies called Freddy and Rose but nobody mentions the Wests.

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ThrobbingToothacheOfTheMind · 07/06/2021 22:29

I don’t know that much about serial killers or true crime but my first thought was Peter Tobin. For that reason, the name creeps me out.

Arrierttyclock · 07/06/2021 22:22

I'm pretty clued up on serial killers abs I've never heard of Tobin. I think it's a great name

Dreamnewjob · 07/06/2021 20:59

I hadn't heard of the negative Tobin, also I think using it as a first name gives distance from him. I know a lovely middle aged Tobin.

HoldingTheDoor · 07/06/2021 20:52

I also think of Tobin Bell who played Jigsaw in the Saw films, but mainly Peter Tobin.

HoldingTheDoor · 07/06/2021 20:50

I immediately think of the serial killer. It isn't an attractive name either. It has an unpleasant sound.

Chilldonaldchill · 07/06/2021 20:48

I really like it.
I think of Colm Toibin (I know it's not quite the same) but I've met other Tobins over the years and I don't see it as weird or "out there" particularly.
I didn't know the case you're referring to. There are quite a few authors and academics called Tobin.

Serpenta · 07/06/2021 20:39

I think it's fine to use. I've heard of the serial killer but it's not the first thing I think of when I hear the name. Not like Shipman. As I can think of several other people with that name. Including Martin Tobin. (he was very impressive, I agree).

kat0107 · 07/06/2021 20:32

Tobin is my maiden name, and I haven’t had problems with the serial killer thing! I have also met a Tobin first name (male) and thought it suited him! Easy to shorten to Toby too 😊

partyatthepalace · 03/06/2021 16:36

The difference between being called Tobin rather than Rose or Fred, is that the latter are established first names and Tobin isn’t. I quite like it.. the other think is Toby appears to be getting quite popular... on balance I’d find something else I think, and perhaps use it as a middle name.

PuffinShop · 03/06/2021 15:17

@Twizbe

My brother has a cat called Torbin. It's an Icelandic name which means thunder bear.

Could that be an alternative?

I didn't know about the serial killer Tobin so that wouldn't bother me.

No it isn't. Þorbjörn is Icelandic and means Thor bear. Torben is Danish and means the same thing. Thor is the name of a god, it doesn't mean thunder even though he is the god of thunder.
xXOXOx · 31/05/2021 10:02

Sorry OP but before I got to the killer bit I immediately thought Peter Tobin but again I'm from Glasgow so there was a lot about it here.

FightingFiles · 31/05/2021 09:56

It's a nice name. I'd never heard of the serial killer, and I'd assume most people haven't, so I wouldn't worry.
Will you be happy with Toby as a nn?

SoLongSister · 31/05/2021 09:35

Tobin is an excellent name.

JustanotherTuesday · 31/05/2021 09:15

Sorry I immediately thought of the serial killer but I do watch a lot of crime programmes.
I still think it's a nice name and it wouldn't put me off.
In the 60's and 70's, Ian was a very popular boys name. The Moors murders were much more well known but parents still picked it for their sons.

Babynamechange1bn · 31/05/2021 08:35

Sorry posted that last comment on the wrong thread - ignore me!

Babynamechange1bn · 31/05/2021 08:35

Anyone?

Babynamechange1bn · 31/05/2021 08:34

I’d never heard of it before but think it’s a lovely name.

Original poster
Hippo222 · 31/05/2021 08:29

@whatswithtodaytoday we will pronounce it toe-bin. It's just because when we had the first scan he looked like just a blob so we nicknamed him blobby and now it's just easier to transition the nickname blobby to tobby. Once he's born we will use the full name but while I've got the bump it just seems more fun to refer to "the Tob" or Tobby.

OP posts:
Twizbe · 31/05/2021 07:28

My brother has a cat called Torbin. It's an Icelandic name which means thunder bear.

Could that be an alternative?

I didn't know about the serial killer Tobin so that wouldn't bother me.

HuntingoftheSnark · 31/05/2021 07:22

I wouldn't have made any negative associations at all. It's a good, strong name and Toby is a nice nickname if you want one. I would definitely use it if you really like it.

AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken · 31/05/2021 07:22

I immediately thought of the serial killer but I watch far too many crime documentaries. It’s probably more a of a reflection of me than of the name.

fat13 · 31/05/2021 07:20

I thought Peter Tobin as well.

Problem is, some names do become notorious because they are the only one - so Fred and Rose no but you wouldn’t call siblings that! Same with Ronnie and reggie.

Myra, Adolf, have both massively fallen out of favour.

Amdone123 · 31/05/2021 07:17

I watch a lot of true crime and didn't know who you meant. I was thinking Tobin was the first name (of the serial killer), then I remembered Peter Tobin. It's not the same if it's a surname. In fact, it doesn't matter if it's the first name. Lots of Teds for example. I don't think of Ted Bundy when I hear a Ted ( I usually wonder if it's short for Edward !) .
I like it, and I don't normally like surnames as first names ( Tyler, Taylor, Mason, etc).

Pinkychilla · 31/05/2021 07:16

I like Tobin and don't think it sounds made up at all think it's a really nice name 😊 also have not heard of a serial killer called that and I think you could go on forever overthinking names like that and kids his own age won't know anything about it

whatswithtodaytoday · 31/05/2021 07:14

I've never heard of the serial killer, and I used to know a Tobin so am aware it's a real name. I like it, it's a lovely name. And if you were really worried you could just use Toby instead, they're so similar (I've only heard it pronounced Toe-bin, not Tobbin... not sure if that's your accent though if your H is calling your bump Tobby?)