Colin – Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity
Meaning of Colin:
The name Colin is Gaelic meaning “young creature” or “pup.” This is a common given name in English-speaking countries and is often used for boys.
Origin of Colin:
The name Colin has Gaelic origins. It is a diminutive of the Gaelic name “Cailean,” which means “young dog” or “puppy.” The Gaelic name Cailean itself can be related to the word “cù” in Gaelic, which means “dog.”
This name has been a common given name in these regions for centuries. Colin transitioned from being a surname to a first name over time, as many names with Gaelic or Celtic origins often did.
Popularity of Colin:
According to the United States Social Security Administration, Colin is the 679th most popular name in the United States. An estimated 64,077 have this name, and there are 20.1 people with this name for every 100,000 Americans.
This name has been a popular choice in English-speaking countries. It has experienced periods of popularity, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Famous People Named Colin:
A few celebrities with this name include:
- Colin Firth (Colin Andrew Firth): Colin Firth is an English actor known for his roles in films like “The King’s Speech,” “Pride and Prejudice,” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary.”
- Colin Powell (Colin Luther Powell): Colin Powell was an American military general and diplomat. He served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as the United States Secretary of State.
- Colin Kaepernick (Colin Rand Kaepernick): Colin Kaepernick is an American former professional football quarterback known for his social activism, particularly his protests against racial inequality and police violence.
- Colin Farrell (Colin James Farrell): Colin Farrell is an Irish actor known for his roles in films like “In Bruges,” “Phone Booth,” and “The Lobster.”
- Colin Jost (Colin Kelly Jost): Colin Jost is an American comedian, writer, and actor known for his work on “Saturday Night Live” and as the co-anchor of the show’s “Weekend Update” segment.
- Colin Mochrie (Colin Andrew Mochrie): Colin Mochrie is a Scottish-Canadian comedian and actor known for his improvisational comedy work, particularly on the TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
- Colin Morgan (Colin Morgan): Colin Morgan is a Northern Irish actor known for his role as Merlin in the TV series “Merlin” and for his work in theater and film.
Nicknames for Colin:
Some common nicknames for Colin include:
- Cole
- Col