Colby Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Colby Name Meaning

Fact: The name Colby first appeared in the Domesday Book in the 11th, available in the form of Colebei.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Colby Overview

Meaning

Coal town, someone who lives in a coal town

Gender

Boy

Origin

Norse, English

Etymology

Derived from the Old Norse name Koli, meaning “coal” or “dark,” combined with býr, meaning “town” or “settlement.” The name originated as a habitational surname from various places in England, such as Norfolk and Cumbria.

Pronunciation

/ˈkoʊlbi/

Popularity

Colby has seen moderate use globally, especially in English-speaking countries. In the United States, Colby ranked #604 for boys in 2023​.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Modern, Vintage, Aesthetic

Associated Traits

Friendly, energetic, approachable

Name Day

August 13 (England)​, March 9th
A Deep Dive

Colby Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Colton, Cole, Colson, Coburn, Kolby, Colm, Colter, Colbert, Collin, Colvin

Common Nicknames

Col, Cole, Coby, Cob, Cols, Bee, Koby, Colbybear

Diminutives

Col, Cole, Coby, Bee, Cob

Famous People

  • Colby Covington
    (American MMA Fighter)
  • Colby O'Donis
    (American Singer)
  • Colby Rasmus
    (American Baseball Player)
  • Colby Lopez
    (American Professional Wrestler)
  • Colby Donaldson
    (American Television Host)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • "Colby's Clubhouse"
    (TV Show)
  • Colby Granger
    ("Numb3rs," TV Series)
  • Colby Chandler
    ("All My Children," TV Series)
  • Colby Buzzell
    ("My War: Killing Time in Iraq," Memoir)

Places

  • Colby City
    (Kansas, USA)
  • Colby City
    (Wisconsin, USA)
  • Colby Community
    (North Carolina, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Colby?

Colby means “coal town” and “someone who lives in a coal town”. Those named Colby are typically known for their hardworking nature and resilience.

What Is the Origin of The Name Colby?

Colby has roots in Old Norse and English. It originates from the Old Norse word “Kol” meaning “coal” and “by” meaning “town,” literally translating to “coal town.”

Colby Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Colby in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#6512021#5992022#6042023
Top 3 Rankings#992001#1252002#1812003

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Colby

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023604
(-5 from 2022)
467
(-1 from 2022)
0.02550
2022599
(+52 from 2021)
468
(+48 from 2021)
0.02499
2021651
(-33 from 2020)
420
(-19 from 2020)
0.02242
2020618
(-7 from 2019)
439
(-8 from 2019)
0.02373
2019611
(-15 from 2018)
447
(-12 from 2018)
0.02326
2018596
(-12 from 2017)
459
(-6 from 2017)
0.02361
2017584
(-54 from 2016)
465
(-91 from 2016)
0.02350
2016530
(-75 from 2015)
556
(-109 from 2015)
0.02745
2015455
(-29 from 2014)
665
(-51 from 2014)
0.03253
2014426
(-26 from 2013)
716
(-29 from 2013)
0.03494
2013400
(-59 from 2012)
745
(-163 from 2012)
0.03687
2012341
(-27 from 2011)
908
(-118 from 2011)
0.04475
2011314
(-34 from 2010)
1026
(-181 from 2010)
0.05051
2010280
(+5 from 2009)
1207
(+55 from 2009)
0.05875
2009285
(-12 from 2008)
1152
(-103 from 2008)
0.05432
2008273
(+10 from 2007)
1255
(+34 from 2007)
0.05756
2007283
(-11 from 2006)
1221
(-51 from 2006)
0.05512
2006272
(-52 from 2005)
1272
(-331 from 2005)
0.05802
2005220
(-35 from 2004)
1603
(-463 from 2004)
0.07535
2004185
(-4 from 2003)
2066
(-104 from 2003)
0.09776
2003181
(-56 from 2002)
2170
(-948 from 2002)
0.10328
2002125
(-26 from 2001)
3118
(-741 from 2001)
0.15087
200199
(+135 from 2000)
3859
(+2394 from 2000)
0.18657
2000234
(-10 from 1999)
1465
(-42 from 1999)
0.07015
1999224
(-4 from 1998)
1507
(+51 from 1998)
0.07391
1998220
(+9 from 1997)
1456
(+99 from 1997)
0.07181
1997229
(-4 from 1996)
1357
(+13 from 1996)
0.06793
1996225
(-16 from 1995)
1344
(-67 from 1995)
0.06707
1995209
(-9 from 1994)
1411
(-38 from 1994)
0.07015
1994200
No change from 1993
1449
(-70 from 1993)
0.07109
1993200
(-3 from 1992)
1519
(-55 from 1992)
0.07354
1992197
(+5 from 1991)
1574
(+59 from 1991)
0.07498
1991202
(+43 from 1990)
1515
(+386 from 1990)
0.07147
1990245
(+5 from 1989)
1129
(+97 from 1989)
0.05246
1989250
(+5 from 1988)
1032
(+110 from 1988)
0.04924
1988255
(+2 from 1987)
922
(+52 from 1987)
0.04605
1987257
(-4 from 1986)
870
(-22 from 1986)
0.04461
1986253
(+33 from 1985)
892
(+177 from 1985)
0.04642
1985286
(-10 from 1984)
715
(-44 from 1984)
0.03715
1984276
(+24 from 1983)
759
(+103 from 1983)
0.04044
1983300
(+61 from 1982)
656
(+162 from 1982)
0.03520
1982361
(+178 from 1981)
494
(+252 from 1981)
0.02618
1981539
(-8 from 1980)
242
(-20 from 1980)
0.01299
1980531
(-53 from 1979)
262
(-36 from 1979)
0.01413
1979478
(+1 from 1978)
298
(+9 from 1978)
0.01664
1978479
(-13 from 1977)
289
(-10 from 1977)
0.01691
1977466
(-34 from 1976)
299
(-21 from 1976)
0.01749
1976432
(-19 from 1975)
320
(-30 from 1975)
0.01960
1975413
(+22 from 1974)
350
(+20 from 1974)
0.02157
1974435
(+10 from 1973)
330
(+21 from 1973)
0.02024
1973445
(+106 from 1972)
309
(+100 from 1972)
0.01915
1972551
(+8 from 1971)
209
No change from 1971
0.01248
1971559
(+136 from 1970)
209
(+67 from 1970)
0.01150
1970695
(+141 from 1969)
142
(+58 from 1969)
0.00745
1969836
(+8 from 1968)
84
(+10 from 1968)
0.00459
1968844
(+306 from 1967)
74
(+32 from 1967)
0.00417
19671150
(+66 from 1966)
42
(+4 from 1966)
0.00236
19661216
(+144 from 1965)
38
(+6 from 1965)
0.00209
19651360
(+103 from 1964)
32
(+3 from 1964)
0.00169
19641463
(-110 from 1963)
29
(-4 from 1963)
0.00143
19631353
(+194 from 1962)
33
(+7 from 1962)
0.00160
19621547
(-297 from 1961)
26
(-14 from 1961)
0.00124
19611250
(+133 from 1960)
40
(+7 from 1960)
0.00185
19601383
(+86 from 1959)
33
(+4 from 1959)
0.00152
19591469
(+207 from 1958)
29
(+7 from 1958)
0.00134
19581676
(-264 from 1957)
22
(-9 from 1957)
0.00102
19571412
(+68 from 1956)
31
(+3 from 1956)
0.00142
19561480
(+58 from 1955)
28
(+3 from 1955)
0.00130
19551538
(+224 from 1954)
25
(+6 from 1954)
0.00120
19541762
(+137 from 1953)
19
(+2 from 1953)
0.00092
19531899
(-413 from 1952)
17
(-9 from 1952)
0.00085
19521486
(+569 from 1951)
26
(+12 from 1951)
0.00132
19512055
(-36 from 1950)
14
No change from 1950
0.00073
19502019
(-518 from 1949)
14
(-10 from 1949)
0.00077
19491501
(-41 from 1948)
24
(-1 from 1948)
0.00133
19481460
(+390 from 1947)
25
(+8 from 1947)
0.00140
19471850
(+840 from 1946)
17
(+9 from 1946)
0.00092
19462690
(-918 from 1945)
8
(-7 from 1945)
0.00048
19451772
(-34 from 1944)
15
(-1 from 1944)
0.00109
19441738
(+667 from 1943)
16
(+6 from 1943)
0.00115
19432405
(+118 from 1942)
10
(+1 from 1942)
0.00069
19422523
(+349 from 1941)
9
(+2 from 1941)
0.00064
19412872
(+257 from 1940)
7
(+1 from 1940)
0.00056
19403129
(-680 from 1939)
6
(-3 from 1939)
0.00051
19392449
(-123 from 1938)
9
(-1 from 1938)
0.00079
19382326
(+579 from 1937)
10
(+3 from 1937)
0.00088
19372905
(-51 from 1936)
7
No change from 1936
0.00064
19362854
(-459 from 1935)
7
(-3 from 1935)
0.00066
19352395
(+882 from 1934)
10
(+4 from 1934)
0.00093
19343277
(-9 from 1933)
6
No change from 1933
0.00057
19333268
(+508 from 1932)
6
(+1 from 1932)
0.00059
19323776
(-13 from 1931)
5
No change from 1931
0.00047
19313763
(-741 from 1930)
5
(-3 from 1930)
0.00047
19303022
(+937 from 1929)
8
(+3 from 1929)
0.00071
19293959
(-1116 from 1928)
5
(-4 from 1928)
0.00045
19282843
(-141 from 1927)
9
(-1 from 1927)
0.00079
19272702
(+437 from 1926)
10
(+2 from 1926)
0.00086
19263139
(+16 from 1925)
8
No change from 1925
0.00070
19253155
(-132 from 1924)
8
(-1 from 1924)
0.00069
19243023
(+443 from 1923)
9
(+2 from 1923)
0.00077
19233466
(-214 from 1922)
7
(-1 from 1922)
0.00062
19223252
(-876 from 1921)
8
(-5 from 1921)
0.00071
19212376
(-40 from 1920)
13
No change from 1920
0.00114
19202336
(+779 from 1919)
13
(+5 from 1919)
0.00118
19193115
(+253 from 1918)
8
(+1 from 1918)
0.00079
19183368
(-636 from 1917)
7
(-2 from 1917)
0.00067
19172732
(+194 from 1916)
9
(+1 from 1916)
0.00094
19162926
(-1895 from 1888)
8
(+3 from 1888)
0.00087
19150
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19140
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18881031
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00385
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Colby

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#7962021#7662022#8142023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#10382021#7522022#7532023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#8792021#7912022#6242023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#5062021#5472022#4302023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#6972021#4492022#4272023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#6832021#10342022#3982023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#4412020#7292021#5852023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#5662021#5172022#4742023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#7442021#3702022#5022023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#4022021#5772022#7732023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#3492021#2602022#3162023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#5952021#6492022#5342023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#5592021#8042022#6362023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#9472021#10082022#7372023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#6992020#7062022#5142023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#3172021#6802022#6732023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#5232021#4532022#5282023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#6252021#3762022#4962023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1392021#2072022#2362023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#6962021#6812022#7512023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3352020#4792021#4192022

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3852017#3742020#5872023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#6362021#4842022#5352023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#6532021#4622022#6182023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4392021#5232022#5642023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4512020#4662021#4762022

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#6072021#5202022#5562023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#5892021#6932022#6072023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1352021#962022#2422023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4442019#4432020#4532023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#6972021#7502022#7502023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3592021#4062022#2552023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#6612021#5652022#7932023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#5162021#3882022#7502023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#7672021#10242022#8332023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2962014#4062019#2912022

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#7352020#8292021#9332023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1282013#1112015#1222017

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3562018#3462022#2722023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4982012#5272019#4492023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#6282020#4352022#4212023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1312009#1332010#1952012

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2242007#1572009#2532013

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2072011#2172013#2622014

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1542012#1552014#2142016

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1642005#1782009#1642010

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2842004#3772005#4172009

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1612009#1452011#1542013

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1872010#2252012#2562018

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1701995#1932006#2072009

Popularity Rankings for Colby in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2972021#1812022#1852023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2662021#1922022#2322023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3082019#2882020#3332021

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3432001

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#5272021#3942022#5492023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#6462019#7412020#6572022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#6572004#9622005#9782019

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Colby a Name for Boys or Girls?

Colby is generally considered a boy’s name, related to coal towns and hardworking environments.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Colby

Colby in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Colby Covington (MMA Fighter, 1988): An American mixed martial artist competing in the welterweight division of the UFC.
  • Colby O'Donis (Singer, 1989): An American singer and songwriter who gained fame with the hit single "What You Got" featuring Akon.
  • Colby Rasmus (Baseball Player, 1986): An American professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball for several teams.
  • Colby Lopez (Professional Wrestler, 1986): Known by his ring name Seth Rollins, he is a popular American professional wrestler in WWE.
  • Colby Donaldson (Television Host, 1974): An American television personality best known for being a contestant on the reality TV show "Survivor."
  • Colby Granger ("Numb3rs," 2005 TV Series): An FBI agent known for his military background and expertise in tracking criminals.
  • "Colby's Clubhouse" (1984 TV Show): A children's television series that teaches moral values through songs and stories.
  • Colby Chandler ("All My Children," 1970 TV Series): A character from a popular soap opera, involved in numerous dramatic storylines.
  • Colby Buzzell ("My War: Killing Time in Iraq," 2005 Memoir): A memoir detailing his experiences as a soldier in the Iraq War.
  • Colby City (Kansas, USA): A small city in Kansas, known for its agricultural community and the annual Thomas County Fair.
  • Colby City (Wisconsin, USA): A city in Wisconsin, famous for being the birthplace of Colby cheese, a popular American cheese variety.
  • Colby Community (North Carolina, USA): A small, unincorporated community in North Carolina, recognized for its quiet, suburban atmosphere.

Similar Names to Colby

Sibling Names for Colby

Parents Who Like the Name Colby Also Like

After going through the information about Colby, leave your comment right below. Be sure to share this name with people around you to help make it more popular.
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

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