Colin
Colin is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Young hound, pup, or victory of the people.
Origin and history
Colin is a traditional name with dual etymological roots, serving either as a Gaelic name derived from 'cailean' meaning 'whelp' or 'young hound', or as a medieval English/French diminutive of Nicholas. It has long been a staple name across Scotland, Ireland, and England before establishing strong, steady popularity in the United States. Today, it remains a classic, widely recognized masculine choice in American usage.
Popularity in the United States
133,706 babies in the United States have been named Colin since 1880. It ranks #252 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #306.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.7 %)
- NY (7.7 %)
- PA (6.7 %)
- IL (6 %)
- MA (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 46 |
| 1890-1900 | 30 |
| 1900-1910 | 34 |
| 1910-1920 | 267 |
| 1920-1930 | 412 |
| 1930-1940 | 491 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,919 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,459 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,162 |
| 1970-1980 | 7,484 |
| 1980-1990 | 17,672 |
| 1990-2000 | 28,258 |
| 2000-2010 | 39,129 |
| 2010-2019 | 24,715 |
| 2020-2029 | 6,628 |
Famous people named Colin
- Colin Powell: Statesman, Military Officer
- Colin Firth: Actor
- Colin Farrell: Actor
Fun facts
- Colin functions both as an independent Gaelic name and as a medieval diminutive of Nicholas.
- Colin Craven is a central character in Frances Hodgson Burnett's famous 1911 novel The Secret Garden.