Selby
Selby: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsɛlbi/
Meaning and origin of Selby
Root meaning: “willow, sallow”
- A unisex given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Old Norse selja (“willow, sallow”) + býr (“settlement, farm”).
How popular is Selby?
Since 1880, 293 girls and 688 boys in the U.S. have been named Selby (30% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4197 in 1937. Its highest rank for boys was #1583 in 1922. In 2025, 5 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Selby
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Norse unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Selby
Sister and brother names that share Selby's Norse roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Selby FAQ
What does the name Selby mean?
Selby traces back to a root meaning "willow, sallow". A unisex given name transferred from the surname. From Old Norse selja (“willow, sallow”) + býr (“settlement, farm”).
What is the origin of the name Selby?
Selby is listed as a name of Norse origin.
How popular is the name Selby?
Since 1880, 293 girls and 688 boys in the U.S. have been named Selby (30% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4197 in 1937. Its highest rank for boys was #1583 in 1922. In 2025, 5 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Selby a boy or girl name?
Selby is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (293 girls and 688 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.