US Popularity:650
Origin:Gaelic
Other Origin(s):Scottish, French
Meaning:Whelp; Cub; Victory of the people; Young hound
Colin is a boy’s name of two distinct origins—Gaelic and Old French. An anglicized version of the Old Irish and Scottish Gaelic names Cuilen and Cailean, Colin can mean “whelp,” “cub,” or "young hound." This can be a lovely way to celebrate baby's youthful, playful spirit from the very start. In Old French roots, Colin is a diminutive of Col and a short form of Nicholas, meaning "victory of the people." Over the years, Colin has enjoyed high praise, partly thanks to fetching stars Firth and Farrell, who add to his alluring charm. The name also shares literary acclaim as a character in the Harry Potter series and The Secret Garden, a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Recognised both in film and text, your little one is sure to enjoy sharing the spotlight with some of the best in the business.

Famous People Named Colin

Wondering who else shares this name? Check out these well known people who made this baby name famous.
  • Colin Cassady
    Wrestler
  • Colin Farrell
    Actor
  • Colin Firth
    Actor
  • Colin Ford
    Actor
  • Colin Kaepernick
    Civil Rights Activist, Football Player

Common Nicknames for Colin

Nothing is really quite as cute as baby—but the perfect nickname comes close. From the catchy to the cool, the options for Colin are so sweet you just can’t help but say, “awww!” And we’ve rounded them up for you and your adorable baby below.

How Popular Is The Name Colin?

The Bump Ranking

Overall:Colin is currently #559 on The Bump
Boy:Colin is currently #326 on The Bump Boy Names

U.S. Births

Overall:Colin is currently #650 in U.S. births
Boy:Colin is currently #334 in U.S. births

Yearly Ranking Change:

Year:
2023
#334
in 2023
- 41
from 2022
In comparison to the previous year's data
Sources
Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial process.

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