Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Coleen
GirlIrish· “variant of Colleen, girl”
- Meaning
- variant of Colleen, girl
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- kah-LEEN
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #434 (1950)
- Peak year
- 1959
Meaning and origin of Coleen
Coleen is an Irish name that means “variant of Colleen, girl”.
Coleen is a spelling of Colleen, from the Irish cailín, girl or young woman. In Ireland the word is an ordinary noun rather than a given name, but Irish Americans and Australians adopted it as a name in the twentieth century, when it became a symbol of Irish heritage. It is said kah-LEEN, with the stress on the second syllable. Colleen and Colene are related spellings, and Coley and Leenie are possible nicknames. The name has a warm, friendly sound and a clear link to Ireland, even though it is used mainly outside the country. Coleen uses a single l.
Popularity over time
Coleen first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 47 different years, starting in 1926. Its best national rank was #434 in 1950, and the most babies received it in 1959, when 423 were named Coleen. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #2,373 in 1920, #434 in 1950, #1,461 in 1980, #5,759 in 2000, and #11,473 in 2010. Of the 11,998 US girls named Coleen since records began, 30% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 3,308 babies. Since 2010, 57 more have been named Coleen.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Tamela, Maryellen, Geri, Sandi, and Cindi.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Coleen is usually pronounced kah-LEEN, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with C and ends in “-en”.
Middle names for Coleen
A few middle names that flow with Coleen: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Coleen
Similar names
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Lists that include Coleen
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Coleen mean?
Coleen is an Irish name that means “variant of Colleen, girl”.
What is the origin of the name Coleen?
Coleen has Irish roots. Coleen is a spelling of Colleen, from the Irish cailín, girl or young woman.
Is Coleen a popular name?
No. Coleen was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Coleen a boy or girl name?
Coleen is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Coleen?
Coleen is usually pronounced kah-LEEN. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings