Colin vs Kevin

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Colin

Boy #335 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"young dog, whelp"

Origin: Irish/Scottish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

English Irish Scottish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#335
Total SSA Count
1,035
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Col

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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Kevin

Boy #196 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"handsome at birth"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

English Irish American German French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#196
Total SSA Count
1,822
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kev

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kevin →

Popularity Comparison

Colin Rank #335
Kevin Rank #196

Kevin is more popular, ranked #196 vs #335 for Colin.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Colin ___

  • Colin James
  • Colin Patrick
  • Colin Michael
  • Colin Andrew
  • Colin Lee

Kevin ___

  • Kevin James
  • Kevin Michael
  • Kevin Patrick
  • Kevin Thomas
  • Kevin Daniel
  • Kevin Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Colin

Declan Ronan Siobhan Bridget Aiden

If you choose Kevin

Brian Patrick Ryan Megan Erin

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colin or Kevin more popular?

Kevin is more popular, ranked #196 compared to Colin at #335 in the United States.

What do Colin and Kevin mean?

Colin means "young dog, whelp" (Irish/Scottish Gaelic origin). Kevin means "handsome at birth" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are Colin and Kevin boy or girl names?

Colin is primarily a boy name. Kevin is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Colin ← Full profile: Kevin Browse all baby names