Colby

Colby is a name that can refer to several distinct things in North American culture, including a type of cheese, a city in Wisconsin, a liberal arts college in Maine, and a surname. Colby cheese is an American cheese that originated in Colby, Wisconsin, in the late 19th century. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk, with a mild, creamy flavor and a pale to light orange color. Colby is similar to cheddar but typically moister and softer; it is commonly sold in blocks and used on sandwiches or melted in dishes. A variation, Colby-Jack, blends Colby with Monterey Jack.

Colby, Wisconsin, is a small city in Clark County in the central part of the state. It serves as a local center for agriculture and small-town services. Colby College is a private liberal arts college in Waterville, Maine. The college offers a range of undergraduate programs and emphasizes a broad-based education and residential campus life.

As a surname, Colby is borne by numerous people and appears in various professions and contexts. The name also appears in place names and brand names in the United States and beyond.