Colby

Updated: October 3, 2023 by Olivia Mittak

Colby is a name that feels kind and young. It has fluctuated greatly on the Social Security Popularity Index, however, ranking from the top 100 list to the top 1,000 list. As of 2022, it is almost in the middle on the top 600 list.

Meaning and Origin of the Name Colby:

Colby did not become the first name until the twentieth century. Prior to this, it was a surname in England for families from a variety of similar towns. The name came from the Old Norse words “koli” and “byr”. Koli is derived from the word kol, which refers to charcoal. The name can either mean “from Koli's farm” or “from a coal town”.

Symbolism of the Name Colby:

The Norse word “koli” means “coal” or “dark”. “Byr”, on the other hand, means “town”. This is why the definition of Colby is “from a coal town”.

Nicknames for the Name Colby:

Picking Colby for your child? If so, you'll want a good nickname that's derived from your child's name. Fortunately for you, there are lots of options to pick from! Take a careful look at this list of Colby nicknames:

Colb
Bee
Cole
Coco
Colbs
Colbster
C.B.
Colbs
Cee
Cobb
Colby Cheese
Colbert
Colbear
Coles
Coby
Cody

Style of the Name Colby:

Traditional, but modern as a first name option.

Gender of the Name Colby:

Colby is an informal name for primarily boys. In rare cases, the name is used as a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the Name Colby:

KOL-bee

Number of Syllables in the Name Colby:

Two

Emotion Evoked From the Name Colby:

Colby feels youthful, lighthearted, and fun. It is an approachable name with a sense of humility.

Alternative Spellings for the Name Colby:

Kolby
Colbee
Kolbee
Colbi
Kolbi

Popularity of the Name Colby:

Colby became a top 1,000 name in America in the mid-twentieth century in 1968 at rank 845. It was briefly a top 100 name for one year at rank 99 in 2001. As of 2022, Colby is a top 600 name at rank 597.