Colby Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationKOHL-bee / /ˈkoʊl.bi/English; Norse
Meaning
English: from the dark farm; Norse: coal town
Historical & Cultural Background
Colby is derived from Old Norse elements, meaning 'dark' and 'farm' or 'village'. It has been used as a surname before transitioning into a given name. The name gained popularity in the United States during the late 20th century.
Trend Summary
Colby has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the 1990s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Colbie
- Colbey
International Variants
- Colbey (English)
Famous people named Colby
Colby Covington is a professional mixed martial artist known for his achievements in the UFC.
Colby Rasmus is a former Major League Baseball player who played as an outfielder.
Colby Jack is a popular cheese blend that combines Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses.
Colby Lewis is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams, including the Texas Rangers.
Fictional characters named Colby
Colby Granger is a character in the television series 'Numb3rs', serving as an FBI agent.
Colby the Cat is a character in the children's book series 'Colby the Cat Adventures'.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Colby was first seen in the United States in 1888. Colby has ranked as high as #174 nationally, which occurred in 2001, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Colby has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Colby (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 36 | |
| PA | 34 | |
| NC | 26 | |
| MA | 24 | |
| CA | 23 | |
| OH | 21 | |
| FL | 21 | |
| NY | 19 | |
| VA | 16 | |
| IL | 15 | |
| TN | 15 | |
| GA | 14 | |
| MI | 13 | |
| MN | 13 | |
| WA | 12 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1888 | 5 |
| 1916 | 8 |
| 1917 | 9 |
| 1918 | 7 |
| 1919 | 8 |
| 1920 | 13 |
| 1921 | 13 |
| 1922 | 8 |
| 1923 | 7 |
| 1924 | 9 |
| 1925 | 8 |
| 1926 | 8 |
| 1927 | 10 |
| 1928 | 9 |
| 1929 | 5 |
| 1930 | 8 |
| 1931 | 5 |
| 1932 | 5 |
| 1933 | 6 |
| 1934 | 6 |
| 1935 | 10 |
| 1936 | 7 |
| 1937 | 7 |
| 1938 | 10 |
| 1939 | 9 |
| 1940 | 6 |
| 1941 | 7 |
| 1942 | 9 |
| 1943 | 10 |
| 1944 | 16 |
| 1945 | 15 |
| 1946 | 8 |
| 1947 | 17 |
| 1948 | 25 |
| 1949 | 24 |
| 1950 | 14 |
| 1951 | 14 |
| 1952 | 26 |
| 1953 | 17 |
| 1954 | 19 |
| 1955 | 25 |
| 1956 | 28 |
| 1957 | 31 |
| 1958 | 22 |
| 1959 | 29 |
| 1960 | 33 |
| 1961 | 40 |
| 1962 | 26 |
| 1963 | 33 |
| 1964 | 29 |
| 1965 | 32 |
| 1966 | 38 |
| 1967 | 42 |
| 1968 | 74 |
| 1969 | 84 |
| 1970 | 142 |
| 1971 | 209 |
| 1972 | 209 |
| 1973 | 309 |
| 1974 | 330 |
| 1975 | 350 |
| 1976 | 320 |
| 1977 | 298 |
| 1978 | 289 |
| 1979 | 298 |
| 1980 | 262 |
| 1981 | 242 |
| 1982 | 494 |
| 1983 | 656 |
| 1984 | 759 |
| 1985 | 715 |
| 1986 | 892 |
| 1987 | 870 |
| 1988 | 922 |
| 1989 | 1,032 |
| 1990 | 1,129 |
| 1991 | 1,515 |
| 1992 | 1,574 |
| 1993 | 1,519 |
| 1994 | 1,449 |
| 1995 | 1,411 |
| 1996 | 1,344 |
| 1997 | 1,357 |
| 1998 | 1,456 |
| 1999 | 1,507 |
| 2000 | 1,465 |
| 2001 | 3,859 |
| 2002 | 3,118 |
| 2003 | 2,170 |
| 2004 | 2,066 |
| 2005 | 1,603 |
| 2006 | 1,272 |
| 2007 | 1,221 |
| 2008 | 1,256 |
| 2009 | 1,152 |
| 2010 | 1,207 |
| 2011 | 1,026 |
| 2012 | 908 |
| 2013 | 745 |
| 2014 | 717 |
| 2015 | 665 |
| 2016 | 556 |
| 2017 | 465 |
| 2018 | 459 |
| 2019 | 447 |
| 2020 | 439 |
| 2021 | 420 |
| 2022 | 468 |
| 2023 | 467 |
| 2024 | 489 |