Boy · 113th of 24,088
Colin
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
133,202
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2004
Peak Popularity Year
5,147
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Colin stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Colin is a name of Latin origin, meaning 'young pup'. It has evolved through various forms, starting from 'Colinus' in Latin to 'Cailean' in Gaelic, and finally to 'Colin' in Middle English. The name is often associated with youthful traits and has biblical relevance of 'N/A'. Although it gained popularity in medieval Scotland, it became more common in the 19th century in English-speaking countries. Variants include Coll and Cullen, and it is currently viewed as a warm and friendly name, with notable bearers such as Colin Powell and Colin Firth.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɒlɪn/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Colin is derived from the Latin name 'Colinus', which is a diminutive form of the name 'Cola', meaning 'young pup' or 'young one'. It is often associated with the Gaelic name 'Cailean', which means 'young dog' or 'whelp'.
Meaning
young pup
Language Evolution
Colinus (Latin), Cailean (Gaelic), Colin (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name Colin gained popularity in medieval Scotland and has been used in various forms throughout history, becoming more widespread in the English-speaking world by the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Coll, Collin, Colly, Cullen
Modern Popularity & Image
Colin is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with kindness and youthful energy. It remains moderately popular in contemporary naming trends.
Famous People
Colin Powell, Colin Firth, Colin Kaepernick, Colin Farrell
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,147 peak births in 2004
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 22 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1124th of 7545 | 621 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 611th of 6773 | 1,747 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 461st of 7552 | 4,998 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 294th of 10718 | 11,066 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 136th of 16616 | 35,478 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 113th of 24088 | 58,159 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 226th of 23106 | 20,612 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 10394th of 12526 | 12 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 7120th of 19264 | 95 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5898th of 27321 | 219 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 13231st of 35406 | 99 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 21584th of 30306 | 20 |