"son of Colin"
Origin: Irish patronymic
Language: English
Collins
Pronunciation: [ k-AHL-ihnz ]
Boy Name
#2,533 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
An Irish surname-turned-first-name with distinguished edge
Irish
English
American
Modern
Strong
Sophisticated
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"victory of the people"
Origin: Greek via Nicholas
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- Mr. Collins is the pompous clergyman in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, a mildly negative fictional association
The Story of Collins
Collins is an Irish and English surname meaning 'son of Colin.' Colin itself derives from the Old French 'Coilin,' a diminutive of 'Col,' which is a short form of Nicholas — from the Greek 'Nikolaos' meaning 'victory of the people.' Collins entered use as a first name through the American trend of using distinguished surnames as given names, which surged in the 2000s.
Collins has been rising steadily as parents seek surname-style names that feel both distinguished and modern. It benefits from the popularity of the standalone name Cole and the Irish heritage associations that Collins carries.
Collins is one of the most common Irish surnames, deeply embedded in Irish-American identity. It also carries literary resonance through Joan Collins, Phil Collins, and historical figures like Michael Collins, the Irish revolutionary.
Fun Facts
- Michael Collins was a key leader of the Irish War of Independence who negotiated the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921
- Collins is one of the top 100 most common surnames in Ireland
Collins in Other Languages
Irish
Ó Coileáin
Welsh
Collins
French
Collins
Spanish
Collins
Scottish
Collins
Famous People Named Collins
P
Phil Collins
Musician
1951
British rock musician and drummer, frontman of Genesis and successful solo artist
M
Michael Collins
Politician
1890
Irish revolutionary leader and politician who played a central role in the Irish War of Independence
M
Mr. William Collins Fictional
Other
The pompous, obsequious clergyman in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice who proposes to Elizabeth Bennet
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,533
- Total SSA Count
- 53
- Cultural Origins
- Irish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cole
Col
Pairs Well With
Collins James
Collins Reid
Collins Grant
Collins Hayes
Collins Blake
Collins Pierce
Collins Ward
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Collins is also used as a girl name, ranked #257.
View Collins as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Collins and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Collins sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About Collins
What does the name Collins mean?
"son of Colin" (from Irish patronymic). "victory of the people" (from Greek via Nicholas). Collins is an Irish and English surname meaning 'son of Colin.' Colin itself derives from the Old French 'Coilin,' a diminutive of 'Col,' which is a short form of Nicholas — from the Greek 'Nikolaos' meaning 'victory of the people.' Collins entered use as a first name through the American trend of using distinguished surnames as given names, which surged in the 2000s.
What is the origin of the name Collins?
Collins has Irish patronymic, Greek via Nicholas, Irish, English, and American origins. In Irish patronymic, it means "son of Colin". In Greek via Nicholas, it means "victory of the people".
Is Collins a boy or girl name?
Collins is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2533. As a girl name, it is ranked #257. Collins is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Collins?
Collins is pronounced k-AHL-ihnz.
How popular is the name Collins?
Collins is currently ranked #2533 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Collins?
Common nicknames for Collins include Cole and Col.
What are good middle names for Collins?
Popular middle name pairings include Collins James, Collins Reid, Collins Grant, Collins Hayes, Collins Blake, Collins Pierce, and Collins Ward.
What are good sibling names for Collins?
Names that pair well with Collins as siblings include Harrison, Bennett, Emerson, Sawyer, Greer, Avery, and Quinn.
How many syllables does Collins have?
Collins has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Collins a common or rare name?
Collins is an uncommon name, ranked #2533 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Collins
Collins is a boy name with Irish, English, and American origins . The name means "son of Colin" in Irish patronymic .
Is Collins a boy or girl name? Collins is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,533 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #257. Collins is more commonly used as a girl name.
Collins is currently ranked #2,533 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Collins has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AHL-ihnz, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Collins include Cole and Col. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Collins include Collin, Collier . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.