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Gender: M Meaning of Colin: "pup" Origin of Colin: Diminutive of Nicholas or Irish and Scottish Colin's Popularity in 2014: #140

Thanks to its dashing Anglo-Irish image--due partly to Colins Firth and Farrell-- and its c-initialed two-syllable sound, Colin and its cousin Collin have enjoyed a long run of popularity, reaching as high as Number 84 in 2004.

The usual pronunciation of Colin is COLL-in, but the alternate COLE-in version was publicized by General Colin Powell, the first U.S. African-American Secretary of State, who was named after World War II hero Colin Kelly.

Literary cred: Colin Craven is a character in The Secret Garden, and Colin Creevey appears in the Harry Potter books.

Both Kevin James and Kiss's Paul Stanley have young sons named Colin, while Tom Hanks has a grown one.

Famous People Named Colin

Colin Luther Powell, American general and 65th Secretary of State
Colin Ford, American actor
Colin Lewes Hanks, American actor; son of Tom Hanks
Colin Andrew Firth, English actor
Colin Egglesfield, American actor
Colin James Farrell, Irish actor
Colin Morgan, Irish Actor
Colin Campbell Cooper, American painter
Colin Alexander Cunningham, American actor
Colin Edward Quinn, American comedian
Colin Rand Kaepernick, American NFL football player
Colin O'Donoghue, Irish Actor
Colin Thomas Hannah, Australian Air Force commander; 19th Governor of Queensland
Colin Ward, English anarchist writer
Colin Todd, English footballer and manager
Colin John Bond, Australian racing driver
Colin Cowherd, American radio sportscaster
Colin Meloy, member of the indie rock band "The Decemberist"

Pop Culture References for the name Colin

Colin Creevey, character in the Harry Potter series
Colin Craven, character in F.H. Burnett's "The Secret Garden"
Colin Fisher, intern on TV's "Bones"
Colin Hart, character on TV's "Everwood"
Colin Hargreaves, character in the Lady Emily Ashton series
Colin, character in "George Dandin ou le Mari confondu" by Moliere
Colin McCrae, character on TV show "Gilmore Girls"
Colin Singleton, in Abundance of Katherines

Collen, Colan, Cole, Collyn, Collin, Colyn, Collon, Kolin, Collan

Colin's International Variations

Cóilean (Irish Gaelic) Coilin (Irish) Cailean (Scottish Gaelic)