Colby

Pronunciation: [ k-OHLB-ee ]

Girl Name #3,228 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A sporty surname name with Norse farming roots

American English Scandinavian

Modern Bold Playful Earthy Strong

Meaning & Origin

"dark farm, Cole's settlement"

Origin: Norse

Language: Old Norse

"charcoal settlement"

Origin: Norse

Language: English

The Story of Colby

Colby is derived from an Old Norse place name composed of kol meaning dark or charcoal and by meaning farm or settlement, yielding the meaning dark farm or Cole's settlement. It was a place name in England (particularly in the North, reflecting Viking settlement patterns) before becoming a surname. In America it transitioned to a given name, fitting the pattern of using English and Scandinavian surnames as first names.

Colby was primarily a boy's name in the US through the 1970s-90s, peaking around 1997. It began crossing over to girls in the late 1990s as unisex names grew fashionable. For girls, Colby peaked in the early 2000s and has declined since, though it retains an appealing tomboy-chic quality.

Colby cheese, named after Colby, Wisconsin (itself named after an early settler), is one of America's most popular cheeses, giving the name strong American food-culture associations. The name fits into the American tradition of place-derived surnames becoming first names.

Fun Facts

Colby is an Old Norse place name meaning dark farm or Cole's settlement
Colby cheese was named after Colby, Wisconsin, where it was first made in 1874
Colby crossed over from a boys' name to a unisex name in the late 1990s

Colby in Other Languages

Norse Kolbyr

French Colby

German Colby

English Colby

Spanish Colby

Famous People Named Colby

Colby Covington

Athlete

1988

American UFC welterweight fighter and contender known for his outspoken persona

Colbie Caillat

Musician

1985

American pop singer-songwriter known for the Grammy-winning song Bubbly and Try

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #3,228
Total SSA Count: 49
Cultural Origins: American English Scandinavian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Colbie #1109

Common Nicknames

Col

Pairs Well With

Colby Grace Colby Mae Colby Lynn Colby Jo Colby Kate Colby Jane Colby Rae

Sibling Names

Kinsey Rylee Hadley Brantley Tatum Presley Finley

Also a Boy Name

Colby is also used as a boy name, ranked #582.

View Colby as a boy name →

Similar Names

Allie Sally Zoe Mallie Calla Vallie Toby Brady

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Colby and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Colby sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

Frequently Asked Questions About Colby

What does the name Colby mean?

"dark farm, Cole's settlement" (from Norse). "charcoal settlement" (from Norse). Colby is derived from an Old Norse place name composed of kol meaning dark or charcoal and by meaning farm or settlement, yielding the meaning dark farm or Cole's settlement. It was a place name in England (particularly in the North, reflecting Viking settlement patterns) before becoming a surname. In America it transitioned to a given name, fitting the pattern of using English and Scandinavian surnames as first names.

What is the origin of the name Colby?

Colby has Norse, American, English, and Scandinavian origins. In Norse, it means "dark farm, Cole's settlement". In Norse, it means "charcoal settlement".

Is Colby a boy or girl name?

Colby is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3228. As a boy name, it is ranked #582. 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 #3228 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Colby?

Common nicknames for Colby include Col.

What are good middle names for Colby?

Popular middle name pairings include Colby Grace, Colby Mae, Colby Lynn, Colby Jo, Colby Kate, Colby Jane, and Colby Rae.

What are good sibling names for Colby?

Names that pair well with Colby as siblings include Kinsey, Rylee, Hadley, Brantley, Tatum, Presley, and Finley.

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 an uncommon name, ranked #3228 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Colby

Colby is a girl name with American, English, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "dark farm, Cole's settlement" in Norse .

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

Colby is currently ranked #3,228 in popularity for girl 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. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Colby include Colbie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.