Kirby
Kirby is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Settlement with a church, or church village.
Origin and history
Kirby is a name of Old Norse and Old English origin, originally derived from a place name meaning settlement with a church. Historically used as a surname, it established a steady presence as a masculine given name in the United States. While less common today, it remains a recognizable classic choice with a vintage feel.
Popularity in the United States
14,532 babies in the United States have been named Kirby since 1880. It ranks #985 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1657.
States where it is most popular
- TX (15.8 %)
- LA (8.5 %)
- CA (7.8 %)
- NC (6.7 %)
- IL (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 56 |
| 1890-1900 | 93 |
| 1900-1910 | 88 |
| 1910-1920 | 403 |
| 1920-1930 | 620 |
| 1930-1940 | 731 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,509 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,009 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,351 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,589 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,338 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,408 |
| 2000-2010 | 596 |
| 2010-2019 | 471 |
| 2020-2029 | 270 |
Famous people named Kirby
- Kirby Puckett: baseball player, athlete
- Kirby Smart: football coach, former athlete
- Kirby Grant: actor, musician
Fun facts
- The name comes from the Old Norse elements 'kirkja' (church) and 'býr' (settlement or farm).
- The name gained widespread global recognition through Nintendo's famous video game character created in 1992.