Kelby
Every Kelby since 1948 — 5,582 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kelby
Kelby is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,313 in 2025 with 18 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1948, 5,582 American babies have been named Kelby — about 72% boys and 28% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1991, when 277 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kelby stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kelby year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | #7,682 | 18 | #5,313 |
| 2024 | 17 | #6,803 | 14 | #6,336 |
| 2023 | 9 | #10,754 | 20 | #4,982 |
| 2022 | 17 | #6,853 | 26 | #4,145 |
| 2021 | 11 | #9,253 | 24 | #4,312 |
| 2020 | 22 | #5,568 | 22 | #4,492 |
| 2019 | 20 | #6,082 | 19 | #5,057 |
| 2018 | 18 | #6,663 | 40 | #2,974 |
| 2017 | 13 | #8,549 | 29 | #3,725 |
| 2016 | 20 | #6,294 | 32 | #3,482 |
| 2015 | 23 | #5,752 | 42 | #2,833 |
| 2014 | 29 | #4,839 | 40 | #2,910 |
| 2013 | 24 | #5,575 | 47 | #2,578 |
| 2012 | 32 | #4,551 | 59 | #2,224 |
| 2011 | 33 | #4,414 | 50 | #2,490 |
| 2010 | 35 | #4,252 | 74 | #1,918 |
| 2009 | 29 | #5,013 | 53 | #2,423 |
| 2008 | 48 | #3,454 | 79 | #1,853 |
| 2007 | 47 | #3,508 | 76 | #1,885 |
| 2006 | 39 | #3,894 | 72 | #1,886 |
| 2005 | 41 | #3,619 | 79 | #1,703 |
| 2004 | 46 | #3,295 | 110 | #1,340 |
| 2003 | 52 | #2,934 | 109 | #1,293 |
| 2002 | 58 | #2,657 | 68 | #1,715 |
| 2001 | 59 | #2,584 | 108 | #1,237 |
| 2000 | 50 | #2,880 | 75 | #1,577 |
| 1995 | 58 | #2,296 | 138 | #947 |
| 1990 | 34 | #3,256 | 123 | #931 |
| 1985 | 10 | #6,690 | 52 | #1,339 |
| 1980 | 5 | #11,158 | 49 | #1,350 |
| 1975 | — | — | 46 | #1,270 |
| 1970 | — | — | 44 | #1,255 |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | 7 | #3,497 |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | 8 | #2,902 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kelby in 2025?
Kelby ranked #5,313 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 18 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kelby?
5,582 babies have been named Kelby in the United States since 1948, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kelby most popular?
Kelby peaked in 1991, when 277 newborns received the name.
Is Kelby a boy or girl name?
Kelby is used for both: about 28% of babies named Kelby have been girls and 72% boys.
Is the name Kelby rising or falling?
Kelby is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.