Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Colby
BoyEnglish, Old Norse· “from an English place name”
- Meaning
- from an English place name
- Origin
- English, Old Norse
- Pronunciation
- KOHL-bee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #615
- US babies 2025
- 455
- Best rank
- #99 (2001)
- Peak year
- 2001
Meaning and origin of Colby
Colby is an English and Old Norse name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
Colby comes from an English surname taken from a place name. It is usually explained as the farm or settlement of a man called Koli, an Old Norse personal name related to a word for coal or dark, reflecting Viking settlement in eastern England. Americans also know Colby as a mild cheese first made in Colby, Wisconsin. As a first name for boys, Colby became popular in the United States in the late twentieth century. It sounds friendly and sporty, much like Cody and Kirby. Kolby is a common alternative spelling.
Popularity over time
Colby first appears in US Social Security records in 1888. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 58 different years, starting in 1968. Its best national rank was #99 in 2001, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,859 babies. In 2025, 455 babies were named Colby, and it ranked #615 nationally. That is 32% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,357 in 1920, #2,041 in 1950, #532 in 1980, #234 in 2000, #280 in 2010, and #615 in 2025. Of the 53,971 US boys named Colby since records began, 36% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 14,261 babies. Since 2010, 9,939 more have been named Colby.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jalen, Eduardo, Bryce, Alejandro, and Javier.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Colby ranked highest in West Virginia, New Hampshire, and Kansas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #231 | 8 |
| New Hampshire | #242 | 5 |
| Kansas | #332 | 11 |
| Nebraska | #389 | 6 |
| Connecticut | #393 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 93% of US babies named Colby over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Colby is usually pronounced KOHL-bee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-by”.
Middle names for Colby
A few middle names that flow with Colby: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Colby
Similar names
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“bold warrior; one who fires a gun” · Old Norse
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BRAN-duhn
“broom-covered hill” · Old English
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Lists that include Colby
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Colby mean?
Colby is an English and Old Norse name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
What is the origin of the name Colby?
Colby has English and Old Norse roots. Colby comes from an English surname taken from a place name.
Is Colby a popular name?
Yes. Colby ranked #615 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Colby a boy or girl name?
Colby is mainly a boy's name. About 93% of US babies named Colby over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Colby?
Colby is usually pronounced KOHL-bee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings