Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Collins
GirlEnglish, Irish· “son of Colin”
- Meaning
- son of Colin
- Origin
- English, Irish
- Pronunciation
- KAH-linz
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #241
- US babies 2025
- 1,286
- Best rank
- #239 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Collins
Collins is an English and Irish name that is usually said to mean “son of Colin”.
Collins is a surname with two main roots. In England it means son of Colin, a medieval pet form of Nicholas. In Ireland it is an anglicized form of O Coileain, often explained as descendant of a whelp or young hound. The Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins is a famous bearer of the surname. As a first name Collins has recently become popular for girls in the United States, part of a trend for crisp surnames ending in s. It feels polished and preppy. Collie and Cole are possible nicknames.
Popularity over time
Collins first appears in US Social Security records in 1982. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 13 different years, starting in 2012. Its best national rank was #239 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 1,286 were named Collins. In 2025, 1,286 babies were named Collins, and it ranked #241 nationally. That is 218% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,774 in 2010 and #241 in 2025. Of the 10,779 US girls named Collins since records began, 64% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 3,858 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Amora, Cataleya, Elaina, Maisie, and Antonella.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Collins ranked highest in Alabama, Iowa, and South Carolina.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | #71 | 53 |
| Iowa | #71 | 38 |
| South Carolina | #76 | 50 |
| North Dakota | #82 | 11 |
| Arkansas | #89 | 29 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 92% of US babies named Collins over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Collins is usually pronounced KAH-linz, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with C and ends in “-ns”.
Middle names for Collins
A few middle names that flow with Collins: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Collins
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Lists that include Collins
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Collins mean?
Collins is an English and Irish name that is usually said to mean “son of Colin”.
What is the origin of the name Collins?
Collins has English and Irish roots. Collins is a surname with two main roots.
Is Collins a popular name?
Yes. Collins ranked #241 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Collins a boy or girl name?
Collins is mainly a girl's name. About 92% of US babies named Collins over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Collins?
Collins is usually pronounced KAH-linz. 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