Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Coleen is an Irish name meaning 'girl' or 'young woman', originating from the term 'cailín'. It evolved from its Irish roots into its anglicized form, becoming popular in English-speaking countries during the 20th century. The name carries a feminine charm and is often associated with Irish culture. There are no direct biblical references to the name, and it has variants like Cailín and Colleen. Notable individuals with this name include Coleen Rooney and Coleen Nolan.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/koʊˈliːn/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Coleen is derived from the Irish term 'cailín', which means 'girl' or 'young woman'. It is often used in a poetic context to refer to a young lady.
Meaning
girl, young woman
Language Evolution
Cailín (Irish), Coleen (Anglicized form)
Historical Usage
The name Coleen became popular in the United States and other English-speaking countries in the 20th century, influenced by the romanticization of Irish culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Cailín, Colleen, Colly
Modern Popularity & Image
Coleen is often perceived as a charming and feminine name, associated with Irish heritage and culture.
Famous People
Coleen Rooney, English television personality and model, Coleen Nolan, English singer and television presenter
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 423 peak births in 1959
Geographic Spread
Popular across 43 US states, with strongest presence in Iowa
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (22 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 22 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2045th of 9107 | 312 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 888th of 9204 | 1,213 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 527th of 12526 | 5,974 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 731st of 19264 | 3,263 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2031st of 27321 | 975 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 8006th of 35406 | 219 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 16778th of 30306 | 42 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
59.51% 1408th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
45.41% 702nd/1546 |
- |
50.19% 1181st/2353 |
49.13% 760th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
19.67% 438th/2227 |
16.83% 409th/2430 |
41.47% 1183rd/2853 |
16.22% 450th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
24.99% 734th/2937 |
12.86% 448th/3483 |
50.63% 1781st/3518 |
20.30% 821st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
67.95% 2504th/3685 |
29.59% 1324th/4475 |
100.00% 5194th/5194 |
34.54% 2182nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Iowa across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2045th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 888th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 527th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 731st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2031st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8006th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 16778th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.