Boy Name · Surname Origin
Selby
Selby means “Settlement, farm”. It is a boy's name of Surname origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Selby — a boy name from the Surname tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Settlement, farm", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Shelby is on your shortlist, Selby belongs in the same conversation.
Selby meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Settlement, farm
Origin: Surname naming roots help connect Selby to related Surname baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Selby as S·E·L·B·Y, with 5 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Selby is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Selby variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Selbya, Selbye, Selbyy, Selb.
- Nicknames: Sel and S.
- Middle names: Pair Selby with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Selby middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Shelby, Sylva, Silva, Shelba, Shelva — full picks on the sibling names for Selby guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Selby? Browse our names like Selby guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Selby
What does the name Selby mean?
Selby means "Settlement, farm" and is of Surname origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Selby is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Selby?
Selby originates in Surname naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Selby?
Selby has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Selby a boy's or girl's name?
Selby is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Selby in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Selby sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Selby?
Names that share Selby's sound and style include Shelby, Sylva, Silva, Shelba, Shelva.
What middle names pair well with Selby?
Good middle-name fits for Selby pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Selby is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Selby is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Selby?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Selby share its rhythm without rhyming — Shelby, Sylva, Silva all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.