Collins

At a Glance

Meaning

Descendant of Coileán (Irish, from cuileán 'pup/whelp', sometimes glossed 'darling'); alternatively a diminutive of Colin (Nicholas) or from Welsh collen 'hazel grove' / French colline 'hill'

Origin

Irish/English (surname, disputed origin)

Gender

Neutral

Pronunciation

KAH-linzListen

Collins is a vintage-leaning, gender-neutral name pronounced KAH-linz. Its roots trace to the Irish surname Ó Coileáin, 'descendant of Coileán'—from cuileán, meaning 'pup' or 'whelp,' sometimes softened to 'darling'—though it's also linked to a diminutive of Colin or to Welsh/French words for 'hazel grove' and 'hill,' since the exact origin is genuinely disputed. Some baby-name lists claim Collins means 'son of the follower of St. Columba,' but that isn't backed by Wiktionary or Wikipedia; the better-documented root is that Irish 'pup/whelp' lineage.

Meaning & Origin of Collins

Meaning: Descendant of Coileán (Irish, from cuileán 'pup/whelp', sometimes glossed 'darling'); alternatively a diminutive of Colin (Nicholas) or from Welsh collen 'hazel grove' / French colline 'hill'.

Origin: Irish/English (surname, disputed origin).

A common claim: Collins is often claimed on baby-name lists to mean 'son of the follower of St. Columba.' Actually: Collins is best explained as Irish Ó Coileáin, 'descendant of Coileán' (from cuileán, 'pup' or 'whelp,' sometimes glossed 'darling'). It can also be a diminutive of Colin (from Nicholas), or come from Welsh collen ('hazel grove') or French colline ('hill') — not from a follower of St. Columba.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Collins

Popularity of Collins

Collins ranked #257 in 2024 with 1,237 babies given the name, just a step down from its peak of #238 in 2023, when 1,271 babies received it.

Names Like Collins

These names share Collins’s style, era or origin.

• Callen
• Finley
• Logan
• Murphy
• Riley
• Eibhlin

FAQ

What does the name Collins mean?

Descendant of Coileán (Irish, from cuileán ‘pup/whelp’, sometimes glossed ‘darling’); alternatively a diminutive of Colin (Nicholas) or from Welsh collen ‘hazel grove’ / French colline ‘hill’. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Collins?

Collins is pronounced KAH-linz (IPA: /ˈkɑːlɪnz/).

Is Collins a popular name right now?

Collins is near its all-time peak (#238 in 2023), ranked #257 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1881–2024.)

Make Collins Name Art

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