I posted here last week that we finally found our perfect boys name: [name_m]Tobias[/name_m]. I love it, and so does my husband. I’m just a little confused about using Old Testament names, as a Catholic (I’m new to Catholicism). My mother in law told us that Catholics traditionally use [name_m]New[/name_m] Testament names/[name_m]Saint[/name_m] names for Catholic babies, and that Old Testament names like [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] are traditionally considered to be Hebrew/Jewish names. I would love some clarity on this subject. Is the name [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] traditionally considered a Jewish boy’s name? Of course, it won’t make or break using the name for us; I am just curious. Thanks!
I don’t see a problem with it (I’m catholic too)! It’s a nice, refreshing name to hear. Traditionally, at least one name had to be a saint’s name and I actually think there is a st. [name_m]Tobias[/name_m]!
Perhaps [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] could be a middle? Sort of a nice tribute to the book of [name_m]Tobit[/name_m]…
I have a lot of [name_m]French[/name_m] Canadian (Catholic) ancestors in my genealogy database, and I only found one OT name ([name_m]Abraham[/name_m]) among a couple hundred or so. The majority included [name_f]Marie[/name_f], [name_m]Joseph[/name_m], [name_u]Jean[/name_u]/[name_m]John[/name_m]/[name_f]Jeanne[/name_f], [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f], [name_m]Peter[/name_m] or [name_m]Paul[/name_m].
Here is a helpful link to Catholic saints: Saints & Angels - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online
([name_m]Tobias[/name_m] is listed!)
My family is very Catholic on both sides. While there are definitely lots of [name_f]Marys[/name_f] or derivations of [name_f]Mary[/name_f], there are also lots of Old Testament names that are used and are popular. For example, [name_m]Daniel[/name_m], [name_m]David[/name_m], [name_m]Eli[/name_m], [name_m]Elijah[/name_m], Ezekial, and [name_m]Caleb[/name_m] are all Old Testament names that have been used. I think using [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] is completely acceptable and a beautiful name. [name_f]Hope[/name_f] that helps!
I also have a very Catholic family. Modern Catholic naming trends reflect the current local naming trends- that is, if you get a list of babies born to Catholic parents and babies born to other parents, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. I’ve seen children baptized with non-traditional names like [name_f]Nevaeh[/name_f] and [name_u]Brayden[/name_u], old testament names like [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] and [name_m]Micaiah[/name_m], and non-religious names like [name_u]Paxton[/name_u] and [name_f]Caoimhe[/name_f].
There have, in the past, been rules regarding naming in the Catholic Church, but that’s definitely gone away in my area. I’ve heard that some ultra-conservative churches still have requirements, but I’ve yet to meet someone who’s encountered that. Check with the parish you’re planning on baptizing your child in if you aren’t sure.
I’m not Catholic, but I think OT names are universal among Christians and Jews alike.
I’m Catholic. The Old Testament is part of our Bible too so Catholics can definitely use these names. Most of the Old Testament prophets are considered saints as well. There was also a minor saint called [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] in the fourth century who was martyred. I would encourage you to go for it and if your [name_f]MIL[/name_f] gives you grief tell her that she’s wrong! [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] is a spunky name.
Welcome to Catholicism!
Your answer is: definitely! As long as the person was considered to be good. All six of my siblings have Old Testament names : )
I grew up Catholic… I don’t know anything about Judaism, but once it is from the bible, it’s fair play.
I don’t see any new testament vs old testament distinction.
This is coming from someone who’s grandmother used to read them excerpts from the bible as a bed time story in childhood; My live-in grandma also prayed the rosary every night.
I’m no longer Catholic, but I spent most of my childhood in the church.
A quick Google search shows multiple churches named “St. [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] Catholic Church.” I think you’re fine! 
[name_f]Love[/name_f] [name_m]Tobias[/name_m], btw. Great choice!
I am Catholic and you could definitely use OT names ( I have never heard that you could not). I love [name_m]Tobias[/name_m]
I think it is a great name.
I never heard of such a thing…but then again I am a [name_m]Christian[/name_m], not Catholic; yet how can you go wrong with a name that means “God is good”!!!
[name_m]Tobias[/name_m] was one of my first name crushes as a child (and still is!) and certainly makes a distinctive choice <3 You did say in your last thread that Tobias was everything you’d hoped for in a name, also that your mind is made up- I hope this doesn’t deter you from using it! Us Tobias-lovers must stick together! 
I think the word you’re looking for there is Protestant, since Catholics are also [name_m]Christian[/name_m].
I’ve never heard of Catholics not using Old Testament names. In fact, out of all my Catholic friends, only one has a biblical name and it’s an Old Testament name.
Thank you for that correction, pansy, but I did choose the word [name_m]Christian[/name_m] because normally “Protestant” doesn’t come to mind; therefore I usually don’t consider myself to be one necessarily (in the US, that terminology is probably more prevelant to Catholics than Protestants). My intention was not to offend by any means, and I apologize if I have done so.
I’m definitely not oppossed to the term, but to be absolutely technical, I really don’t care what anyone calls me: as long as they know I am a follower of [name_m]Jesus[/name_m] [name_m]Christ[/name_m]
But yes - back to names- I agree with you.
I personally don’t like religious names. I know far too many people who converted to a different religion or left religion completely. Clearly, there are many ‘biblical’ names that have somewhat lost a lot of their overt religious connection, like [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] or [name_m]Daniel[/name_m], but I know three atheists named [name_m]Christian[/name_m], and one named [name_m]Jesus[/name_m], and there is a whole lot of room for resentment between the four of them. My SO has a name that’s in the Bible, but is also a classic name that’s not overt in it’s religious connection. He was raised extremely religious but became an atheist in high school, and his name (think along the lines of [name_m]Johnathan[/name_m] or [name_m]David[/name_m]) has allowed flexibility from the religious childhood into his nonreligious adulthood.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] wanted to put in the thought, your child might not want to follow the religion you want them to when they become independent adults, so if you insist on bestowing them with a “religious” name, you might want to keep in mind a name that can be versatile.
in Europe, [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] is an accepted Catholic name. i grew up around several of them.
I come from two long lines of Catholics and my father’s name is [name_m]Daniel[/name_m]. I also have a cousin named [name_f]Sarah[/name_f]. So yes, we do use Old Testament names. Old Testament names are everywhere, just as they were everywhere in the 1800s. They go in and out of fashion. You could always pair [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] with a [name_m]New[/name_m] Testament name, like [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] [name_m]Andrew[/name_m] or [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] [name_m]Peter[/name_m].
I was a cradle Catholic, my dad was a cradle Catholic, my grandparents were, and so on back. In my family most of the guys especially (but a few girls too) have ot first names, [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], [name_m]Samuel[/name_m], [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m], [name_m]Isaac[/name_m], [name_m]Daniel[/name_m], ect. There are very few who have nt names, less than half the amount that have ot names. Now the most common middle in my family are [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] (dad, bro, gpa, cousins, ect) and [name_f]Mary[/name_f]/[name_f]Marie[/name_f] (gma, cousins, ect), so there you can really see the Catholic influence, but not so much in the first names. At least half of the first names aren’t even Biblical or saint names. So if you’re really concerned about making sure your son’s name is “Catholic” enough I agree with the pp, use a new testament or saint middle. [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] [name_m]Peter[/name_m] is dashing, and could be seen as very Catholic since [name_m]Peter[/name_m] was the first pope.
I grew up Catholic, not sure about names, but it might having something to do with the fact that as a Catholic, you follow the new testament, while Jews follow the old testament. So using an old testament name might appear to be Jewish for that reason.