"young creature, cub"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: English
Collin
Pronunciation: [ k-AHL-ihn ]
Does Collin flow with your last name?
A quietly strong Celtic classic with centuries of history
English
Irish
Scottish
American
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"people's victory"
Origin: Greek via Old French
Language: English
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The Story of Collin
Collin is an alternate spelling of Colin, which has two possible origins. In Ireland and Scotland, it derives from the Gaelic 'cailean,' meaning 'young creature' or 'whelp.' Alternatively, it can be traced through Old French to the medieval nickname for Nicholas, itself derived from the Greek 'Nikolaos' meaning 'people's victory.' Both pathways give the name deep Celtic and European roots.
Colin/Collin has been a steady presence in English-speaking countries for centuries. The alternate spelling Collin sees particular use in the American South and Midwest. Colin Firth's Oscar-winning performance in The King's Speech (2010) generated a modest bump in usage in English-speaking countries.
In Scotland and Ireland, Colin remains a traditional masculine name with strong heritage associations. In the United States, both spellings are common, with Collin often preferred as a more distinctive variant of the more common Colin.
Historical Record
Collin first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 79,934 babies have been named Collin in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Collin is past its peak , currently ranked #490 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In medieval England, 'Colin' was such a common name that it became a generic term for any rustic peasant or shepherd in pastoral poetry
- Colin Powell, the first African-American US Secretary of State, was born Colin Luther Powell
Collin in Other Languages
Irish
Coilín
French
Colin
Italian
Colino
Spanish
Colín
Scottish Gaelic
Cailean
Popularity Over Time
#490
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1996
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Collin
C
Colin Firth
Actor
1960
British actor who won the Oscar for The King's Speech and starred in the Bridget Jones films
C
Colin Powell
Military
1937
First African-American US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor under three presidents
C
Colin Bridgerton Fictional
Other
Character from Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series and Netflix adaptation, a charming Regency-era journalist
C
Colin Creevey Fictional
Other
Enthusiastic young Gryffindor student and Harry Potter fan in the Harry Potter series
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #490
- Total SSA Count
- 627
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish Scottish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Col
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, 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
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Collin
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Collin is also used as a girl name, ranked #17034.
View Collin as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Collin
What does the name Collin mean?
"young creature, cub" (from Scottish Gaelic). "people's victory" (from Greek via Old French). Collin is an alternate spelling of Colin, which has two possible origins. In Ireland and Scotland, it derives from the Gaelic 'cailean,' meaning 'young creature' or 'whelp.' Alternatively, it can be traced through Old French to the medieval nickname for Nicholas, itself derived from the Greek 'Nikolaos' meaning 'people's victory.' Both pathways give the name deep Celtic and European roots.
What is the origin of the name Collin?
Collin has Scottish Gaelic, Greek via Old French, English, Irish, Scottish, and American origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "young creature, cub". In Greek via Old French, it means "people's victory".
Is Collin a boy or girl name?
Collin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #490. As a girl name, it is ranked #17034. Collin is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Collin?
Collin is pronounced k-AHL-ihn.
How popular is the name Collin?
Collin is currently ranked #490 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Collin?
Common nicknames for Collin include Col.
What are good middle names for Collin?
Popular middle name pairings include Collin James, Collin Reid, Collin Thomas, Collin Patrick, Collin Grant, Collin Ross, and Collin Dean.
What are good sibling names for Collin?
Names that pair well with Collin as siblings include Declan, Fiona, Brendan, Maeve, Callum, Siobhan, and Liam.
How many syllables does Collin have?
Collin has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Collin a common or rare name?
Collin is a popular name, ranked #490 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Collin?
About the Name Collin
Collin is a boy name with English, Irish, Scottish, and American origins . The name means "young creature, cub" in Scottish Gaelic .
Is Collin a boy or girl name? Collin is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #490 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,034. Collin is more commonly used as a boy name.
Collin is currently ranked #490 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Collin has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AHL-ihn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Collin include Col. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Collin include Collins, Collier . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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