Colby vs Salem

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Colby

Boy #582 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

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

Origin: Old Norse

Cultural Roots

English American Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#582
Total SSA Count
489
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Col, Coy, Coie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Colby →

Salem

Girl #430 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"peaceful, complete"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Hebrew Arabic American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#430
Total SSA Count
715
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sal, Sallie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Salem →

Popularity Comparison

Colby Rank #582
Salem Rank #430

Salem is more popular, ranked #430 vs #582 for Colby.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Colby ___

  • Colby James
  • Colby Lee
  • Colby Ray
  • Colby Dean
  • Colby Scott
  • Colby Blake

Salem ___

  • Salem Grace
  • Salem Rose
  • Salem Jane
  • Salem Mae
  • Salem Elise
  • Salem Wren

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Colby

Caden Brady Hailey Kelsey Logan

If you choose Salem

Ember Raven Wren Cypress Zephyr

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colby or Salem more popular?

Salem is more popular, ranked #430 compared to Colby at #582 in the United States.

What do Colby and Salem mean?

Colby means "dark man's settlement, coal-black farm" (Old Norse origin). Salem means "peaceful, complete" (Hebrew origin).

Are Colby and Salem boy or girl names?

Colby is primarily a boy name. Salem is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Colby ← Full profile: Salem Browse all baby names