Colby – Name Meaning
The name Colby is of English origin and is derived from the Old Norse word “koli” which means “coal town” or “coal settlement.” The name was originally used to describe a person who lived in or near a coal mining town. It has since become a popular given name for both boys and girls.
History of the Name
The first recorded use of the name Colby dates back to the 12th century when it was used as a surname in England. The earliest known record of the name is found in the Domesday Book, which was compiled by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book lists a man named Colbi as living in Norfolk, England. Over time, the name spread throughout Europe and eventually made its way to America with early settlers.
In America, the name Colby became popular during the 19th century when it began to be used as a given name. It has since become one of the most popular names in the United States, ranking among the top 500 names for boys and girls.
Popularity
Colby is currently ranked as the 437th most popular name for boys and 545th most popular name for girls in the United States. It is also quite popular in Canada, where it ranks as the 517th most popular name for boys and 690th most popular name for girls.
Famous People Named Colby
There are many famous people who have been given the name Colby, including:
- Colby Lewis – Major League Baseball pitcher
- Colby Covington – Mixed martial artist
- Colby O’Donis – Singer-songwriter
- Colby Rasmus – Major League Baseball outfielder
- Colby Donaldson – Television personality
Variations of the Name
The name Colby can also be spelled differently such as Kolby, Koleby, Coleby, and Coalbie. There are also several variations of the spelling that are more common outside of North America such as Kolbi, Kollbi, Kollbee, and Collbee.