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Toyah

Girl name · 6 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Toyah: 6 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 1981.

From a Hebrew origin meaning "God is good" or "Yahweh is good," Toyah emerged as a distinctive name in the English-speaking world, possibly influenced by the similar biblical name Toviah or Tobias. The most famous bearer is the English singer, songwriter, and actress Toyah Willcox, known for her vibrant punk-era music and cult film appearances in *The Corn Is Green* and *Quadrophenia*. While no places directly share the name's spelling, the root "Tov" appears in place names like Tiverton. The name remains rare but carries a strong 1980s-cool association—interestingly, Toyah’s highest usage in Scotland peaked in the late 1970s and early 1980s, likely due to Toyah Willcox’s rising fame. A variant, Taya, offers a more streamlined alternative for parents drawn to the sound.

Girl 2 of 52 years

Peak year
19813 babies
Latest (1982)
#5303 babies
Total births
6since 1981
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1981 · 3
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).