Names › Boys' names › C › Colin
Colin
Meaning: victory of the people (from Nicholas); young pup (Cailean) · Origin: Greek / Scottish Gaelic · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
A medieval English pet form of Nicholas, and also the Scottish Gaelic Cailean, 'young pup'.
Famous people named Colin
- Colin Firth (actor)
Nicknames
Col
Variants & related names
Cailean, Collin
Colin name art
A free preview of a printable “Colin” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Colin mean?
Colin means “victory of the people (from Nicholas); young pup (Cailean)”. It comes from Greek / Scottish Gaelic.
Is Colin a popular name?
Colin is a classic boys' name that has been used for generations in the English-speaking world. For its current rank, see the US Social Security Administration or UK Office for National Statistics baby-name lists.
What are nicknames for Colin?
Col.
What are other forms of Colin?
Cailean, Collin.
Similar names
Christopher · Andrew · Angel · Nicholas · Jace · Damian
More: names starting with C · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.