Colby

KOL-bee
English
"coal town"

Colby Origin and Meaning

The name Colby is a boy's name of English origin meaning "coal town".

Combining the sounds of Colton and Toby, Colby has been in the US Top 1000 since the 70s. It peaked in 2021, entering the Top 100 thanks to Colby Davidson's appearance on reality TV show, Survivor that same year. Currently on the rise in the UK, in the US, its popularity has been shaky, dipping one year, rising the next. Given to around 470 boys in 2023, it is also chosen for around 50 girls each year.

Derived from an English surname and place name, it is made up of the Old Norse elements koli and býr meaning "coal settlement". It could work as a fresh way to honor a Colin or a Nicole.

# 604 in the US

Colby Rank in US Top 1000

# 854 on Nameberry

Colby Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Colby Popularity

Famous People Named Colby

  • Colby Shane Cohen
    American ice hockey player
  • Colby Aaron Bockwoldt
    American NFL football player
  • Colby Ryan Rasmus
    American baseball player
  • Colby Preston Lewis
    American baseball player
  • Colby Maxwell Paul
    American actor
  • Colby O'Donis
    American pop singer
  • Colby Donaldson
    American reality TV personality of "Survivor: The Australian Outback", "Survivor: All Stars", and "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains"
  • Colby Brock
    Social media star
  • Jacoba "Colbie" Francisca Maria Smulders
    Canadian actress & model

Colby in Pop Culture

  • Colby Granger
    main character on TV's 'Numbers"
  • Colby College
    private liberal arts college in Waterville, Maine, USA
  • Colby Jack
    cheese