Kolby vs Rafe

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Kolby

Boy #1,272 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"dark settlement, coal town"

Origin: Old Norse

Cultural Roots

American Scandinavian English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,272
Total SSA Count
155
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Kol

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kolby →

Rafe

Boy #1,311 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"God has healed"

Origin: Hebrew via English

Cultural Roots

English British Jewish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,311
Total SSA Count
148
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rafe →

Popularity Comparison

Kolby Rank #1,272
Rafe Rank #1,311

Kolby is more popular, ranked #1272 vs #1311 for Rafe.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Kolby ___

  • Kolby James
  • Kolby Ray
  • Kolby Dean
  • Kolby Lee
  • Kolby Wayne
  • Kolby Scott

Rafe ___

  • Rafe Edward
  • Rafe Henry
  • Rafe James
  • Rafe William
  • Rafe Oliver
  • Rafe George

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kolby

Kollyns Kolsen Hadley Parker Presley

If you choose Rafe

Hugo Otto Felix Cecily Imogen

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 Kolby or Rafe more popular?

Kolby is more popular, ranked #1272 compared to Rafe at #1311 in the United States.

What do Kolby and Rafe mean?

Kolby means "dark settlement, coal town" (Old Norse origin). Rafe means "God has healed" (Hebrew via English origin).

Are Kolby and Rafe boy or girl names?

Kolby is primarily a boy name. Rafe is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Kolby ← Full profile: Rafe Browse all baby names