Colby
Gender: Mostly Boy
Meaning: Coal settlement, dark village
Origin: Old Norse/English
Popularity: Ranked #615 in 2025 with 455 babies born.
History: Colby is an English place name and surname derived from the Old Norse 'kol' (coal or dark) and 'by' (settlement). It has been used as a given name in the United States since the 20th century, with a friendly, approachable quality.
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Colby? About 1 in 6,463 babies born in 2025 were named Colby, or roughly 1.4 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Colby
What does the name Colby mean?
Colby means “Coal settlement, dark village” from Old Norse/English roots.
What is the origin of the name Colby?
Colby has Old Norse/English origin. The traditional meaning is “Coal settlement, dark village”.
How popular is Colby?
Colby ranked #615 in 2025 — given to 455 babies that year.
When was Colby most popular?
Colby peaked in 2001 with 3,859 babies registered that year.
Is Colby a boy or girl name?
Colby is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Colbys in registered births are male.
Is the name Colby rising or falling in popularity?
Colby has risen 2793 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #3408 in 2020 to #615 in 2025.
How long has Colby been recorded?
Colby appears in birth records across 111 years — from 1888 through 2025.