Kelby is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It has gained popularity in recent years, particularly among parents who are looking for unusual yet meaningful names for their children.
The name Kelby is believed to have originated from the Irish surname "O'Cilib" or "Mac Cilib." This surname was derived from the old Gaelic personal name "Cilib," which means "bright" or "famous." Therefore, the name Kelby can be interpreted as meaning "fame" or " brightness."
The history of the name Kelby is closely tied to its Irish origins. The O'Cilib clan was a powerful and influential family in medieval Ireland, with members serving as chieftains and kings. Over time, the surname evolved into various forms, including Kelly, Cully, and Coyle, among others. Today, Kelby is used as both a surname and a given name, with its popularity growing steadily.
While there are no specific historical figures associated with the name Kelby, it has been borne by several notable individuals in recent times. For instance, Kelby Hardwick is an American Paralympic athlete who won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics, while Kelby Johnson is an American baseball player who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In conclusion, Kelby is an interesting and meaningful name with Irish origins. Its interpretation as "fame" or "brightness" adds to its appeal, making it a strong choice for parents looking for a unique yet significant name for their child.
The name Kelby has seen a varied pattern of popularity over the past five decades in the United States, with several periods of fluctuation and decline.
In the mid-70s to late-80s, there was a noticeable rise in newborns named Kelby. The years 1987 and 1988 saw peaks with 22 and 19 births respectively. This period marked the highest popularity for the name Kelby during this time frame.
However, starting from the early 90s, there was a steady decline in the number of newborns named Kelby. In fact, between 1993 and 2004, the annual births fluctuated between 46 and 90, with an average of around 58 births per year.
In the following decade, from 2005 to 2017, the popularity of Kelby continued to decrease. During this period, there was a significant drop in the number of newborns named Kelby, ranging between 13 and 47 births annually.
More recently, since 2018 until 2023, Kelby's popularity has remained relatively stable but at a low level. The annual births have fluctuated between 9 and 22, with an average of approximately 15 births per year.
In total, over the past five decades in the United States, there have been 1532 newborns named Kelby according to these statistics. While Kelby was once a relatively popular name during its peak years, it has since become less common and continues to see declining popularity.