Colin

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOL-in /ˈkɒl.ɪn/High

Meaning: In Scottish Gaelic, Colin is a diminutive of Cailean (young dog, youth, or pup). In English usage it is also a short form of Nicholas from Greek Nikolaos, meaning 'victory of the people'.High

In 30 seconds: Colin is a crisp, clean name with dual Scottish and English roots — meaning 'young creature' in Gaelic and connected to Nicholas in English tradition. Quietly distinguished and effortlessly classic.

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Origin HighScottish Gaelic, Greek

MeaningIn Scottish Gaelic, Colin is a diminutive of Cailean (young dog, youth, or pup). In English usage it is also a short form of Nicholas from Greek Nikolaos, meaning 'victory of the people'.

U.S. rank (2025)#343 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births950 boys (0.05% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 133,707

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Colin's dual origin is well documented. In Scotland, Cailean (anglicized as Colin) was a traditional Scottish personal name, a diminutive possibly meaning 'young dog' or 'youth'. It was especially associated with the Campbell clan — Cailean Mor (Big Colin) Campbell was a thirteenth-century ancestor of the Dukes of Argyll. In medieval England, Colin was used as a familiar form of Nicholas.

Colin has been consistently popular in England, Scotland, Ireland, and the United States throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, though it has declined somewhat from its mid-century peak. It retains a polished, understated quality. Notable modern bearers include Secretary of State Colin Powell (1937–2021) and actor Colin Firth, maintaining the name's association with dignity and accomplishment.

Did you know? Colin is one of the few names that has two completely independent origins: the Scottish Gaelic diminutive of Cailean (youth) and the medieval English short form of Nicholas — and both paths lead to equally valid, equally used names that happen to be spelled the same way.

Overall data confidence 88%

Black, George F. The Surnames of Scotland — Cailean and its anglicization as ColinBehind the Name: Colin — Dual etymology and usage history

Variations

CollinCaileanColyn

Nicknames

Col

Famous Bearers

★Colin Powell (1937–2021)
American statesman, 65th US Secretary of State and four-star general, the first Black US Secretary of State.
★Colin Firth (1960–)
British actor, Academy Award winner known for The King's Speech.

If you like Colin…

Callum— two-syllable Scottish Gaelic name with the same understated Celtic classic quality

Graham— two-syllable Scottish surname name with the same polished, distinguished feel

Niall— Celtic name with the same quietly distinguished heritage and single-short-vowel sound

Frequently Asked

What does the name Colin mean?

Colin means 'young creature' or 'youth' from Scottish Gaelic Cailean, and also 'victory of the people' as a short form of Nicholas.

How do you pronounce Colin?

Colin is pronounced KOL-in (/ˈkɒl.ɪn/) in British English, two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Colin a boy or girl name?

Colin is a boy's name.

How popular is Colin?

Colin has been in the US top 100–200 boys' names for most of the twentieth century, with a distinguished, understated appeal.