Colby

Pronunciation: [ k-OHLB-ee ]

Boy Name #582 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

A Viking settlement name with All-American ease

English American Scandinavian

Strong Modern Playful Bold

Meaning & Origin

"dark man's settlement, coal-black farm"

Origin: Old Norse

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Colby cheese association may generate mild teasing for children

The Story of Colby

Colby is an English place name and surname of Old Norse origin, from 'koli' (a personal name meaning coal-black or dark) combined with 'byr' (meaning farm or settlement). Several villages named Colby exist in England, particularly in Norfolk and Cumbria, areas of heavy Viking settlement in the 9th-10th centuries. As a first name, Colby transferred from surname to given name in American usage during the late 20th century.

Colby gained traction as a first name in the 1980s and 1990s in the United States, fitting into the wave of surname-style names like Brady, Riley, and Tanner. Reality TV helped — Colby Donaldson was a beloved contestant on Survivor in 2000, and his wholesome, rugged image was influential in the name's rise.

Colby, Kansas is famous as the 'Prairie Jewel' of western Kansas. Colby cheese, a mild American cheddar-style cheese, shares the name though comes from Colby, Wisconsin. As a given name, Colby feels distinctly American — Western, sporty, and unpretentious.

Fun Facts

Colby cheese was developed in 1874 in Colby, Wisconsin, and is one of America's most beloved mild cheeses
Colby Donaldson from Survivor: The Australian Outback (2001) made the name culturally prominent
Multiple English villages bear the name Colby, all founded by Viking settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries

Colby in Other Languages

Norwegian Kolby

Old Norse Koliby

Famous People Named Colby

Colby Covington

Athlete

1988

American mixed martial artist and UFC welterweight contender

Colby Donaldson

Other

1974

Fan-favorite contestant from Survivor: The Australian Outback, credited with popularizing the name in the early 2000s

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #582
Total SSA Count: 489
Cultural Origins: English American Scandinavian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Nicknames

Col Coy Colie

Pairs Well With

Colby James Colby Lee Colby Ray Colby Dean Colby Scott Colby Blake Colby Chase

Sibling Names

Caden Brady Hailey Kelsey Logan Riley Tanner

Also a Girl Name

Colby is also used as a girl name, ranked #3228.

View Colby as a girl name →

Similar Names

Abel Kirby Toby Brady Grady Zachary Opie Jody

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Colby

What does the name Colby mean?

"dark man's settlement, coal-black farm" (from Old Norse). Colby is an English place name and surname of Old Norse origin, from 'koli' (a personal name meaning coal-black or dark) combined with 'byr' (meaning farm or settlement). Several villages named Colby exist in England, particularly in Norfolk and Cumbria, areas of heavy Viking settlement in the 9th-10th centuries. As a first name, Colby transferred from surname to given name in American usage during the late 20th century.

What is the origin of the name Colby?

Colby has Old Norse, English, American, and Scandinavian origins. In Old Norse, it means "dark man's settlement, coal-black farm".

Is Colby a boy or girl name?

Colby is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #582. As a girl name, it is ranked #3228. Colby is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Colby?

Colby is pronounced k-OHLB-ee.

How popular is the name Colby?

Colby is currently ranked #582 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Colby?

Common nicknames for Colby include Col, Coy, and Colie.

What are good middle names for Colby?

Popular middle name pairings include Colby James, Colby Lee, Colby Ray, Colby Dean, Colby Scott, Colby Blake, and Colby Chase.

What are good sibling names for Colby?

Names that pair well with Colby as siblings include Caden, Brady, Hailey, Kelsey, Logan, Riley, and Tanner.

How many syllables does Colby have?

Colby has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Colby a common or rare name?

Colby is moderately common, ranked #582 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Colby

Colby is a boy name with English, American, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "dark man's settlement, coal-black farm" in Old Norse .

Is Colby a boy or girl name? Colby is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #582 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #3,228. Colby is more commonly used as a boy name.

Colby is currently ranked #582 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Colby has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-OHLB-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Colby include Col, Coy, and Colie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.