Colby: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced KOHL-bee · 2 syllables
Colby means “charcoal; settlement”, from Norse.
From either the Old Norse personal name Koli or kol (“charcoal”) + byr (“settlement”).
- Meaning
- charcoal; settlement
- Origin
- Norse
- Pronunciation
- KOHL-bee
- US rank (2025)
- #615
- US babies a year
- about 747 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 2000
How popular is Colby?
Colby was the #615 name in the US in 2025, given to 515 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 39% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2000.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #615 |
| England & Wales | #289 |
| Scotland | #213 |
| Northern Ireland | #252 |
| Ireland | #551 |
| Canada | #543 |
| Australia | #352 |
How old are people named Colby?
Half of US adults named Colby are older than 28; most are between 19 and 50. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Colby
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Colby have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Colby
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
Questions about Colby
What does the name Colby mean?
Colby means “charcoal; settlement”. It comes from Norse.
How do you pronounce Colby?
Colby is pronounced KOHL-bee.
How popular is the name Colby?
Colby was the #615 name in the US in 2025, given to 515 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 39% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2000.
How old are people named Colby?
Half of US adults named Colby are older than 28. Most are between 19 and 50.