Colin Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Colin Name Meaning

Fact: Colin is a name chosen by various celebrities for their children, adding to its modern appeal​

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A Deep Dive

Colin Overview

Meaning

Whelp, cub, victory of the people, young hound

Gender

Boy

Origin

Scottish, Irish

Etymology

Has Scottish and Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic name “Cailean” or “Coileán.” It was also influenced by the French diminutive of the name Nicolas.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈkoʊlɪn/

Popularity

Colin is favored in Scotland and Ireland, and is commonly used in English-speaking countries. In 2023, Colin ranked #269 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Traditional, Cute, Classic

Associated Traits

Friendly, reliable, thoughtful

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with Saint Columba, an important figure in Irish and Scottish Christianity.

Name Day

June 9 (Ireland)
A Deep Dive

Colin Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Collan, Collin, Collun, Coln, Colum

Common Nicknames

Cole, Lin, Lenny, Colly

Diminutives

Col, Collie

Famous People

  • Colin Firth
    (British Actor)
  • Colin Farrell
    (Irish Actor)
  • Colin Powell
    (American Statesman)
  • Colin Kaepernick
    (American Athlete)
  • Colin Mochrie
    (Scottish-Canadian Comedian)
  • Colin Morgan
    (Northern Irish Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Colin Sullivan
    ("The Departed," Film)
  • Colin Creevey
    ("Harry Potter," Novel Series)
  • "Colin in Black & White"
    (TV Series)
  • Colin Bridgerton
    ("Bridgerton," TV Series)
  • Colin Craven
    ("The Secret Garden," Novel)

Places

  • Colin Street
    (Perth, Australia)
  • Colin P. Kelly Jr. Street
    (San Francisco, California, USA)
  • Colin Glen
    (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

What Is the Meaning of Colin?

Colin means “young creature” or “victorious people.” Individuals named Colin are often perceived as youthful and spirited, exuding a sense of optimism and energy.

What Is the Origin of The Name Colin?

The name Colin has Scottish and Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic name “Cailean” or “Coileán,” which means “whelp” or “cub.” It was also influenced by the French diminutive of the name Nicolas, making it popular in medieval England.

Colin Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Colin in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2692021#2932022#3342023
Top 3 Rankings#852004#882003#952005

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Colin

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023334
(-41 from 2022)
1001
(-165 from 2022)
0.05467
2022293
(-24 from 2021)
1166
(-122 from 2021)
0.06225
2021269
(+18 from 2020)
1288
(+112 from 2020)
0.06874
2020287
(-27 from 2019)
1176
(-218 from 2019)
0.06358
2019260
(-11 from 2018)
1394
(-85 from 2018)
0.07254
2018249
(-21 from 2017)
1479
(-187 from 2017)
0.07609
2017228
(-30 from 2016)
1666
(-386 from 2016)
0.08418
2016198
(-26 from 2015)
2052
(-372 from 2015)
0.10130
2015172
(-30 from 2014)
2424
(-459 from 2014)
0.11857
2014142
(-17 from 2013)
2883
(-158 from 2013)
0.14069
2013125
(-1 from 2012)
3041
(+19 from 2012)
0.15049
2012124
(-3 from 2011)
3022
(-243 from 2011)
0.14893
2011121
(-10 from 2010)
3265
(-224 from 2010)
0.16073
2010111
(+2 from 2009)
3489
(-168 from 2009)
0.16983
2009113
(+1 from 2008)
3657
(-74 from 2008)
0.17243
2008114
(+5 from 2007)
3731
(+123 from 2007)
0.17111
2007119
(-8 from 2006)
3608
(-253 from 2006)
0.16288
2006111
(-16 from 2005)
3861
(-671 from 2005)
0.17611
200595
(-10 from 2004)
4532
(-590 from 2004)
0.21304
200485
(+3 from 2003)
5122
(+246 from 2003)
0.24236
200388
(+28 from 2002)
4876
(+1561 from 2002)
0.23206
2002116
(+9 from 2001)
3315
(+145 from 2001)
0.16040
2001125
(-8 from 2000)
3170
(-85 from 2000)
0.15326
2000117
(+2 from 1999)
3255
(+175 from 1999)
0.15587
1999119
(+3 from 1998)
3080
(+4 from 1998)
0.15105
1998122
(+3 from 1997)
3076
(-23 from 1997)
0.15170
1997125
(+1 from 1996)
3099
(+146 from 1996)
0.15512
1996126
(+8 from 1995)
2953
(+323 from 1995)
0.14738
1995134
(-10 from 1994)
2630
(-185 from 1994)
0.13076
1994124
(-3 from 1993)
2815
(-82 from 1993)
0.13810
1993121
(+5 from 1992)
2897
(+267 from 1992)
0.14026
1992126
(+13 from 1991)
2630
(+336 from 1991)
0.12529
1991139
(-17 from 1990)
2294
(-489 from 1990)
0.10822
1990122
(+4 from 1989)
2783
(+179 from 1989)
0.12932
1989126
(+5 from 1988)
2604
(+346 from 1988)
0.12424
1988131
(+3 from 1987)
2258
(+160 from 1987)
0.11277
1987134
(+24 from 1986)
2098
(+408 from 1986)
0.10758
1986158
(-2 from 1985)
1690
(-49 from 1985)
0.08794
1985156
(-4 from 1984)
1739
(-27 from 1984)
0.09037
1984152
(+14 from 1983)
1766
(+209 from 1983)
0.09410
1983166
(+5 from 1982)
1557
(+19 from 1982)
0.08355
1982171
(+31 from 1981)
1538
(+311 from 1981)
0.08150
1981202
(+2 from 1980)
1227
(+31 from 1980)
0.06588
1980204
(+3 from 1979)
1196
(+56 from 1979)
0.06448
1979207
(+16 from 1978)
1140
(+192 from 1978)
0.06364
1978223
(+25 from 1977)
948
(+121 from 1977)
0.05548
1977248
(+2 from 1976)
827
(+37 from 1976)
0.04838
1976250
(+23 from 1975)
790
(+84 from 1975)
0.04839
1975273
(+8 from 1974)
706
(+38 from 1974)
0.04352
1974281
(+32 from 1973)
668
(+107 from 1973)
0.04098
1973313
(+8 from 1972)
561
(-5 from 1972)
0.03477
1972321
(-21 from 1971)
566
(-92 from 1971)
0.03381
1971300
(+14 from 1970)
658
(+34 from 1970)
0.03620
1970314
(+6 from 1969)
624
(+45 from 1969)
0.03276
1969320
(+23 from 1968)
579
(+77 from 1968)
0.03165
1968343
(+12 from 1967)
502
(+57 from 1967)
0.02827
1967355
(+21 from 1966)
445
(+42 from 1966)
0.02501
1966376
(-16 from 1965)
403
(-50 from 1965)
0.02217
1965360
(+44 from 1964)
453
(+62 from 1964)
0.02391
1964404
(+2 from 1963)
391
(-1 from 1963)
0.01929
1963406
(+22 from 1962)
392
(+43 from 1962)
0.01899
1962428
(-9 from 1961)
349
(-8 from 1961)
0.01661
1961419
(+45 from 1960)
357
(+63 from 1960)
0.01655
1960464
(-21 from 1959)
294
(-29 from 1959)
0.01358
1959443
(+29 from 1958)
323
(+42 from 1958)
0.01491
1958472
(+4 from 1957)
281
(+13 from 1957)
0.01304
1957476
(-30 from 1956)
268
(-18 from 1956)
0.01224
1956446
(+16 from 1955)
286
(+30 from 1955)
0.01333
1955462
(+3 from 1954)
256
(+12 from 1954)
0.01225
1954465
(+16 from 1953)
244
(+31 from 1953)
0.01179
1953481
(+20 from 1952)
213
(+15 from 1952)
0.01064
1952501
(-16 from 1951)
198
(+4 from 1951)
0.01003
1951485
(-9 from 1950)
194
(-1 from 1950)
0.01015
1950476
(-20 from 1949)
195
(-15 from 1949)
0.01072
1949456
(-9 from 1948)
210
(-11 from 1948)
0.01165
1948447
(+62 from 1947)
221
(+45 from 1947)
0.01240
1947509
(+17 from 1946)
176
(+28 from 1946)
0.00947
1946526
(+8 from 1945)
148
(+23 from 1945)
0.00897
1945534
(-140 from 1944)
125
(-112 from 1944)
0.00911
1944394
(-50 from 1943)
237
(-83 from 1943)
0.01706
1943344
(-21 from 1942)
320
(-29 from 1942)
0.02200
1942323
(+390 from 1941)
349
(+274 from 1941)
0.02478
1941713
(+105 from 1940)
75
(+17 from 1940)
0.00598
1940818
No change from 1939
58
(+3 from 1939)
0.00489
1939818
(+16 from 1938)
55
No change from 1938
0.00485
1938834
(+11 from 1937)
55
(+3 from 1937)
0.00484
1937845
(+61 from 1936)
52
(+6 from 1936)
0.00475
1936906
(-56 from 1935)
46
(-8 from 1935)
0.00432
1935850
(-79 from 1934)
54
(-10 from 1934)
0.00505
1934771
(+104 from 1933)
64
(+14 from 1933)
0.00603
1933875
(+117 from 1932)
50
(+6 from 1932)
0.00490
1932992
(+310 from 1931)
44
(+16 from 1931)
0.00410
19311302
(-249 from 1930)
28
(-15 from 1930)
0.00262
19301053
(+41 from 1929)
43
(+3 from 1929)
0.00381
19291094
(-156 from 1928)
40
(-12 from 1928)
0.00361
1928938
(+174 from 1927)
52
(+11 from 1927)
0.00456
19271112
(-78 from 1926)
41
(-4 from 1926)
0.00353
19261034
(+87 from 1925)
45
(+6 from 1925)
0.00393
19251121
(-4 from 1924)
39
(-2 from 1924)
0.00339
19241117
(-30 from 1923)
41
(-2 from 1923)
0.00351
19231087
(+155 from 1922)
43
(+9 from 1922)
0.00380
19221242
(-16 from 1921)
34
(-1 from 1921)
0.00302
19211226
(-137 from 1920)
35
(-7 from 1920)
0.00308
19201089
(-55 from 1919)
42
(-1 from 1919)
0.00382
19191034
(-38 from 1918)
43
(-2 from 1918)
0.00424
1918996
(+7 from 1917)
45
(+3 from 1917)
0.00429
19171003
(-19 from 1916)
42
No change from 1916
0.00438
1916984
(+175 from 1915)
42
(+11 from 1915)
0.00455
19151159
(+62 from 1914)
31
(+8 from 1914)
0.00352
19141221
(+35 from 1913)
23
(+6 from 1913)
0.00337
19131256
(+161 from 1912)
17
(+5 from 1912)
0.00317
19121417
(-30 from 1911)
12
(+5 from 1911)
0.00266
19111387
(+202 from 1910)
7
(+2 from 1910)
0.00290
19101589
(-149 from 1909)
5
No change from 1909
0.00240
19091440
(-67 from 1908)
5
No change from 1908
0.00283
19081373
(-173 from 1907)
5
(-1 from 1907)
0.00301
19071200
(+33 from 1905)
6
(+1 from 1905)
0.00378
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19051233
(-359 from 1904)
5
(-3 from 1904)
0.00349
1904874
(+263 from 1902)
8
(+3 from 1902)
0.00578
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19021137
(-16 from 1898)
5
No change from 1898
0.00377
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18981121
(-334 from 1897)
5
(-3 from 1897)
0.00379
1897787
(+195 from 1896)
8
(+2 from 1896)
0.00656
1896982
(+97 from 1895)
6
(+1 from 1895)
0.00465
18951079
(-195 from 1890)
5
(-1 from 1890)
0.00395
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1890884
(-6 from 1889)
6
No change from 1889
0.00501
1889878
(-59 from 1887)
6
No change from 1887
0.00504
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1887819
(-61 from 1886)
6
(-1 from 1886)
0.00549
1886758
(+78 from 1885)
7
(+1 from 1885)
0.00588
1885836
(+56 from 1883)
6
(+1 from 1883)
0.00517
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1883892
(+51 from 1882)
5
No change from 1882
0.00445
1882943
(-77 from 1881)
5
No change from 1881
0.00410
1881866
(-57 from 1880)
5
(-1 from 1880)
0.00462
1880809
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00507

American States Popularity Rankings for Colin

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3582021#3322022#3842023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1772021#2012022#2202023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1212021#1512022#1982023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#1722021#2032022#2292023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2372021#2722022#2722023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#902021#1032022#1172023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#5292021#5332022#5932023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1492021#1332022#1402023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2882021#3902022#4282023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3122021#4252022#4502023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2112021#2962022#3252023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3032021#3212022#3982023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1972021#1962022#3242023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#3022021#3412022#2722023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#5742021#5342022#4832023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2142021#3442022#4392023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1162021#1492022#1202023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3042021#3132022#3782023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3182021#3452022#3732023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#2192021#2432022#3222023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2882021#2942022#4642023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#4022021#6372022#7512023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#5912021#3642022#4592023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4242021#3172022#5742023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#6932021#3282022#4372023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3332021#4052022#2662023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3882021#3952022#3482023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3562021#3222022#2642023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5522021#7072022#6362023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1762021#1102022#1022023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3312019#4452021#5192022

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4352021#4412022#5212023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2522020#3792021#4462022

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#5622021#4222022#3192023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1912021#1312022#1332023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1532018#1182019#1052022

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2332020#1402021#1812023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1632014#1412015#2062017

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#5642019#3362020#4962021

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4672018#4542021#4422022

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2092020#1392021#2102022

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1492017#2782018#2702021

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5572021#3712022#4762023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#852014#1122015#812016

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1342013#2562014#2652015

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2202015#2302020#2242021

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2592016#3522017#4242022

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2502015#2082018#2322019

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1392012#1712013#2212016

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2172011#1762013#2232015

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#902007#1622009#1262011

Popularity Rankings for Colin in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#452021#652022#662023

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#662002#642005#892008

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#871981#801982#901983

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1352020#1052021#1272022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1902020#1922021#1252022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#1642021#1282022#1502023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#1472021#1512022#1662023

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1562011#1832012#1692013

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1721998#1791999#1682000

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1821999

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2232021#3362022#2852023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3002020#3132021#3192022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3342019#4372021#3922022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3592005#4482008#4432021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3632017#4162018#4332021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4142021#4542022#4362023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#8482017#9522019#8882021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Colin a Name for Boys or Girls?

Colin is definitely a boy’s name! This is because it hasn’t been commonly used for girls and stems from masculine roots in both its French and Gaelic origins.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Colin

Colin in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Colin Firth (Actor, born 1960): A British actor acclaimed for his roles in films like "The King's Speech" and "Pride and Prejudice."
  • Colin Farrell (Actor, born 1976): An Irish actor known for his versatile roles in both independent films and Hollywood blockbusters.
  • Colin Powell (U.S. Secretary of State, 1937–2021): An American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army.
  • Colin Kaepernick (Athlete, born 1987): An American football quarterback and civil rights activist recognized for his stance against racial injustice.
  • Colin Mochrie (Comedian, born 1957): A Scottish-Canadian comedian and actor, famous for his work on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"
  • Colin Morgan (Actor, born 1986): A Northern Irish actor celebrated for his role in the TV series "Merlin."
  • Colin Trevorrow (Director, born 1976): An American filmmaker best known for directing "Jurassic World."
  • Colin Hanks (Actor, born 1977): An American actor and filmmaker, son of Tom Hanks, known for his roles in "Fargo" and "Life in Pieces."
  • Colin Sullivan ("The Departed," 2006 Film): A mole working for the Irish mob within the Massachusetts State Police.
  • Colin Creevey ("Harry Potter," 2001 Novel Series by J.K. Rowling): A young Hogwarts student known for his enthusiasm and photography.
  • "Colin in Black & White" (2021 TV Series): Chronicles the early life and career of Colin Kaepernick.
  • Colin Bridgerton ("Bridgerton," 2020 TV Series): A charming member of the Bridgerton family navigating society and romance.
  • Colin Craven ("The Secret Garden," 1911 Novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett): A sickly boy who discovers health and happiness through the titular garden.
  • Colin Singleton ("An Abundance of Katherines," 2006 Novel by John Green): A former child prodigy who embarks on a road trip to find meaning after a breakup.
  • Colin Mallory ("Sliders," 1995 TV Series): The brother of the main character, Quinn, who joins him on parallel universe adventures.
  • Colin Bridgerton ("The Viscount Who Loved Me," 2000 Novel by Julia Quinn): A member of the Bridgerton family featured in the book series.
  • Colin Street (Perth, Australia): A major street in Perth's central business district.
  • Colin P. Kelly Jr. Street (San Francisco, California, USA): A street named in honor of a World War II hero.
  • Colin Glen Forest Park (Belfast, Northern Ireland): A forest park offering walking trails and nature activities.
  • Colin Powell Middle School (Matteson, Illinois, USA): A public middle school named after the former U.S. Secretary of State.
  • Colintraive Village (Argyll and Bute, Scotland): A small village on the western coast of Scotland.
  • Colin River (County Antrim, Northern Ireland): A river running through County Antrim, feeding into Lough Neagh.
  • Colin Park (Nottingham, England): A suburban park in the city of Nottingham.
  • Colin Glen Road (Belfast, Northern Ireland): A scenic road passing through Colin Glen Forest Park.

Similar Names to Colin