"young dog, whelp"
Origin: Irish/Scottish Gaelic
Language: English
Colin
Pronunciation: [ k-OHL-ihn ]
Does Colin flow with your last name?
A classic British-Irish name with centuries of quiet charm
English
Irish
Scottish
American
Classic
Sophisticated
Gentle
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"victory of the people (from Nicholas)"
Origin: Greek via Medieval English
Language: English
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The Story of Colin
Colin has two distinct etymological paths. In Ireland and Scotland, it is an anglicization of the Gaelic 'Coilín' or 'Cailean,' meaning 'young dog' or 'whelp' — terms that historically carried positive connotations of youthful energy, agility, and loyalty. In England, Colin was a medieval pet form of Nicholas, from Greek 'Nikolaos' meaning 'victory of the people.' Both traditions have contributed to the name's modern use.
Colin has been a steady classic in British Isles naming for centuries. In the US, it gained particular attention through Colin Firth's iconic portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC Pride & Prejudice mini-series, and later through Colin Farrell's Hollywood career. Netflix's Bridgerton — featuring the charming Colin Bridgerton — renewed interest in the 2020s.
Colin is quintessentially a British-Irish name with centuries of use. In Scotland, the Clan Campbell's hereditary title is 'Cailean Mór' (Great Colin). The name has been carried by an American Secretary of State (Colin Powell), military heroes, and beloved fictional characters — demonstrating its cross-generational appeal.
Historical Record
Colin first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 129,558 babies have been named Colin in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Colin is past its peak , currently ranked #335 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Colin Firth's portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC Pride & Prejudice is consistently voted the most beloved adaptation of Austen's novel
- Colin Powell was the first African American to serve as US National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Secretary of State
Colin in Other Languages
Irish
Coilín
Welsh
Colin
French
Colin
Spanish
Colín
Scottish Gaelic
Cailean
Popularity Over Time
#335
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2004
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Colin
C
Colin Firth
Actor
1960
British actor known for Pride and Prejudice (1995) and The King's Speech (2010), for which he won the Academy Award
C
Colin Powell
Military
1937
American four-star general and diplomat, first African American US Secretary of State (2001-2005)
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #335
- Total SSA Count
- 1,035
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish Scottish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Col
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Colin
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Colin is also used as a girl name, ranked #64055.
View Colin as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Colin
What does the name Colin mean?
"young dog, whelp" (from Irish/Scottish Gaelic). "victory of the people (from Nicholas)" (from Greek via Medieval English). Colin has two distinct etymological paths. In Ireland and Scotland, it is an anglicization of the Gaelic 'Coilín' or 'Cailean,' meaning 'young dog' or 'whelp' — terms that historically carried positive connotations of youthful energy, agility, and loyalty. In England, Colin was a medieval pet form of Nicholas, from Greek 'Nikolaos' meaning 'victory of the people.' Both traditions have contributed to the name's modern use.
What is the origin of the name Colin?
Colin has Irish/Scottish Gaelic, Greek via Medieval English, English, Irish, Scottish, and American origins. In Irish/Scottish Gaelic, it means "young dog, whelp". In Greek via Medieval English, it means "victory of the people (from Nicholas)".
Is Colin a boy or girl name?
Colin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #335. As a girl name, it is ranked #64055. Colin is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Colin?
Colin is pronounced k-OHL-ihn.
How popular is the name Colin?
Colin is currently ranked #335 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Colin?
Common nicknames for Colin include Col.
What are good middle names for Colin?
Popular middle name pairings include Colin James, Colin Patrick, Colin Michael, Colin Andrew, and Colin Lee.
What are good sibling names for Colin?
Names that pair well with Colin as siblings include Declan, Ronan, Siobhan, Bridget, Aiden, and Maeve.
How many syllables does Colin have?
Colin has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Colin a common or rare name?
Colin is a popular name, ranked #335 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Colin
Colin is a boy name with English, Irish, Scottish, and American origins . The name means "young dog, whelp" in Irish/Scottish Gaelic .
Is Colin a boy or girl name? Colin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #335 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #64,055. Colin is more commonly used as a boy name.
Colin is currently ranked #335 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Colin has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-OHL-ihn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Colin include Col. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis