Is Kolby a boy's or girl's name?

Kolby is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 1,308 recorded births.

When was Kolby most popular?

Kolby reached its peak popularity in 2001 with 739 births that year. It is currently ranked #1268 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Kolby?

Kolby is currently ranked #1268 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 11,484 babies since 1968.

Kolby

An uncommon Old Norse pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld NorseDeclining Also a pet name

#1268▼ 70in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A male given name.

Kolby is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old Norse origin, a variant spelling of Colby, from the Norse place name meaning 'dark settlement' or 'coal village,' from kol (coal, black) and byr (farm, settlement).

The K spelling gives this Norse-origin name a punchy American visual identity. Colby/Kolby has the friendly, easygoing quality of classic American names — it's been popular since the late 20th century and carries the comfortable familiarity of a name that's been around long enough to feel natural but not overused.

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Popularity Over Time

Kolby was #493 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1268, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Kolby
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	802	#1222	▼
2010s	2,551	#896	▼
2000s	4,729	#542	▲
1990s	2,531	#671	▲
1980s	712	#1286	▲
1970s	154	#2718	▲
1960s	5	#4455	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(55 years, 1968–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Kolby
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	155	#1268	-12 (-7.2%)
2023	167	#1198	+8 (5.0%)
2022	159	#1238	+8 (5.3%)
2021	151	#1263	-19 (-11.2%)
2020	170	#1145	+17 (11.1%)
2019	153	#1237	-29 (-15.9%)
2018	182	#1088	+16 (9.6%)
2017	166	#1146	-53 (-24.2%)
2016	219	#950	-53 (-19.5%)
2015	272	#828	-28 (-9.3%)
2014	300	#777	-4 (-1.3%)
2013	304	#749	+18 (6.3%)
2012	286	#791	-39 (-12.0%)
2011	325	#705	-19 (-5.5%)
2010	344	#684	-27 (-7.3%)
2009	371	#662	-30 (-7.5%)
2008	401	#618	+23 (6.1%)
2007	378	#643	+37 (10.9%)
2006	341	#669	-46 (-11.9%)
2005	387	#586	-110 (-22.1%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Kolby as a Girl's Name

Though more common for boys, Kolby has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 1,308 births since 1978.

#3916

Current rank

1,308

Total births

2000

Peak year

Compare Kolby as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Kolby be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Kolby is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1268. As a girl's name, it ranks #3916.

Kolby has two lives

Kolby, the baby name

#1268boys

11,484 babies

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Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1968–2024) · Methodology