Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Colin
BoyScottish, English· “young dog; or a form of Nicholas”
- Meaning
- young dog; or a form of Nicholas
- Origin
- Scottish, English
- Pronunciation
- KAH-lihn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #343
- US babies 2025
- 950
- Best rank
- #85 (2004)
- Peak year
- 2004
Meaning and origin of Colin
Colin is a Scottish and English name that is usually said to mean “young dog; or a form of Nicholas”.
Colin has two separate origins. In Scotland it anglicizes the Gaelic Cailean, often linked to a word meaning "whelp" or "young dog", a name borne by chiefs of the Campbell clan. In medieval England, Colin was a diminutive of Colle, itself a short form of Nicholas, which comes from Greek elements meaning "victory of the people". Both routes produced a name that has been used for centuries. In the United States it is usually pronounced KAH-lihn, and in Britain KOL-in. Colin is friendly, dependable and understated, a classic that never feels stuffy.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kolin.
Popularity over time
Colin has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 108 different years. Its best national rank was #85 in 2004, the same year it reached its highest count of 5,122 babies. In 2025, 950 babies were named Colin, and it ranked #343 nationally. That is 61% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,093 in 1920, #476 in 1950, #204 in 1980, #117 in 2000, #111 in 2010, and #343 in 2025. Of the 133,706 US boys named Colin since records began, 29% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 28,258 babies. Since 2010, 31,343 more have been named Colin.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Ashton, Jake, Jesus, Ian, and Ivan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Colin ranked highest in Massachusetts, District of Columbia, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #92 | 74 |
| District of Columbia | #108 | 8 |
| New Hampshire | #131 | 11 |
| Connecticut | #143 | 26 |
| Rhode Island | #161 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Colin is usually pronounced KAH-lihn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-in”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kolin.
Middle names for Colin
A few middle names that flow with Colin: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Colin
Similar names
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Lists that include Colin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Colin mean?
Colin is a Scottish and English name that is usually said to mean “young dog; or a form of Nicholas”.
What is the origin of the name Colin?
Colin has Scottish and English roots. Colin has two separate origins.
Is Colin a popular name?
Yes. Colin ranked #343 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Colin a boy or girl name?
Colin is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Colin?
Colin is usually pronounced KAH-lihn. 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