Origin, Meaning, And History Of Kirby
Kirby is a trendy gender-neutral name of English origin. It is used as a surname in Old Norse, and means ‘church settlement’ or ‘settlement by a church.’ The name also has Irish heritage, where it is used as a habitational name for those hailing from Kirby or Kirkby in the east and north of England. The name is a combination of ‘kirkja,’ which means church, and ‘by,’ which means ‘farmstead village.’ This name arises from the parishes and hamlets scattered in north England and counties along the East Coast. Kirby is the anglicized form of the Gaelic term ‘O’Ciarmhaic sept,’ present in counties Limerick and Kil Kenny.
The name is also believed to be a variant of the Gaelic term Kerwick, which derives from the words ‘Ciar,’ meaning ‘dark,’ and ‘mac,’ meaning ‘sun.’ Historically, the first reference to Kirby as a surname occurred in 1290. John Kirkby was an English statesman and ecclesiastic. He discovered the gated road Ely Place in what is now called London. The term Kirby is also used to refer to a skyscraper in Dallas. It is also associated with the Kirby Hall, an Elizabethan country house near Northamptonshire.
Over the years, different variations of the name have emerged. These include Kerribly, Kirkby, O’Kerwick, and Kerribly. Some feminine variants of the name include Kirbee, Kirbie, and Kirbey. The name started gaining popularity in the 1980s in the US. This may have been because of the character Kirby Anders Colby in the soap opera Dynasty.
Over the years, the name was borne by many actresses, sports personalities, and musicians. Noted American TV personality Gayle King named her daughter Kirby Bumpus, contributing to the name’s popularity.
In popular culture,Kirby Reedis a character in the film Scream 4. Kirby Greenland is the lead character in the book I Am Not Esther by the award-winning author Fleur Beale.Kirbyis a series of novels by Japanese writer Mie Takase.
How To Pronounce Kirby?
Famous People With The Name Kirby
- Kirby Bliss BlantonAmerican actress, known for her work in the film Project X
- Kirby GriffinAmerican model, who featured in the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
- Kirby JohnsonAmerican actress, best-known for her role in the film The Possession of Hannah Grace.
- Kirby Lane LarsonAmerican writer of children’s books, honored with the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award
- Vanessa KirbyEnglish actress and recipient of the BAFTA TV Award.
Kirby On The Popularity Chart
The name’s popularity witnessed fluctuations over the years. The name was peaked in 1989 and 1992, after which its popularity have declined steadily.
Popularity Over Time
In 1989, 196 babies were given the name Kirby, which went down to 39 in 2021. Check out the graph below for detailed information.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name has reached its best ranking of 12,780 in 1983. In 2021, the name was ranked 20,629. Find the graph below for deeper insight.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Kirby
Kirby has a smooth sound. If you liked how Kirby sounds, you will also like the following options.
Popular Sibling Names For Kirby
Other Popular Names Beginning With K
Names With Same Meaning As Kirby
Do you like the meaning attached to the name Kirby? If yes, explore the following options for your child’s siblings.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
kirby
In Sign Language
kirby
In Braille Alphabet
kirby
莫尔斯代码
kirby
Name Numerology For Kirby
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Kirby?
The name Kirby means ‘church settlement’ or ‘settlement by a church.’
2. What is the origin of the name Kirby?
Kirby has an English origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Kirby?
Kirby is pronounced as kir-by.
4. Is Kirby a common name?
Though Kirby has been used often through the last few decades, it cannot be said to be popular or common. In 2021, only 39 babies per million were given this name.
5. Is Kirby an Italian name?
Kirby is an English name. However, it can be used for Italian babies also as it has a universal meaning and is gentle on the ears.
6. How old is the name Kirby?
Kirby can be considered a vintage name as it is derived from Old Norse as well as an Irish name. Though it is hard to pinpoint the exact time this name came into existence, it can be deduced that this name has been in circulation for a long time. It remains relevant even in today’s times, with several famous people and fictional characters carrying this name.
7. Are there any famous fictional characters named Kirby?
Yes, there are several famous fictional characters named Kirby. For example, Kirby Schilling is a character in “Desperate Housewives.” Kirby Gardner also appears in “Frasier,” and he is Lana Gardner’s son. Lastly, Kirby is also a playable character in the video game “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.”
8. What are some middle names that pair well with Kirby?
