Declining since 1989, #3,240 for boys today.
Popularity of Kirby since 1881
Babies named Kirby per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 56 |
| 1890s | 0 | 93 |
| 1900s | 0 | 88 |
| 1910s | 8 | 403 |
| 1920s | 11 | 620 |
| 1930s | 15 | 731 |
| 1940s | 101 | 1,509 |
| 1950s | 121 | 3,009 |
| 1960s | 108 | 2,351 |
| 1970s | 85 | 1,589 |
| 1980s | 1,464 | 1,338 |
| 1990s | 1,113 | 1,408 |
| 2000s | 275 | 596 |
| 2010s | 309 | 471 |
| 2020s | 353 | 270 |
Meaning & origin
Kirby's peak popularity came in 1957, when it ranked highest among U.S. births, and since 1989 its usage has steadily declined. In 2025, the name ranked 3,240th, with approximately 1 in every 47,447 newborns named Kirby. First recorded in the U.S. in 1881, Kirby has historically been used for both boys and girls, though more often for boys. As a surname-derived given name, its roots lie in English place names of Old Norse origin, meaning 'church settlement.'
Kirby derives from a place name of Old Norse origin, from 'kirkja' (church) and 'býr' (settlement), thus 'church settlement.' It was originally a surname borne by families from various places named Kirby in England. As a given name, it gained modest use from the 19th century onward, though never highly common.
Where Kirby is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Kirby
Names that share Kirby's style, for a brother or sister.
