Collins
Collins: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkɑlɪnz/ · /ˈkɒlɪnz/
Meaning and origin of Collins
Root meaning: “descendant of Coileán”
- An English surname originating as a patronymic from the given name Colin.
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
As an English surname, variant of Colin. * As an Irish and Manx surname, from Ó Coileáin (“descendant of Coileán”), see Cullen, McQuillan, and McCallion. * As a French surname, Americanized from Collin and Colette. * As a Slovene surname, Americanized from Kolenc, from koleno (“knee”) and the obsolete kolenc (“nipplewort”).
How popular is Collins?
Since 1880, 10,779 girls and 3,686 boys in the U.S. have been named Collins (75% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #239 in 2023. Its highest rank for boys was #630 in 1900. In 2025 it ranked #241 for girls, with 1,334 babies given the name.
Names similar to Collins
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Collins
Sister and brother names that share Collins's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Collins FAQ
What does the name Collins mean?
Collins traces back to a root meaning "descendant of Coileán". An English surname originating as a patronymic from the given name Colin. A male given name transferred from the surname. As an English surname, variant of Colin. * As an Irish and Manx surname, from Ó Coileáin (“descendant of Coileán”), see Cullen, McQuillan, and McCallion. * As a French surname, Americanized from Collin and Colette. * As a Slovene surname, Americanized from Kolenc, from koleno (“knee”) and the obsolete kolenc (“nipplewort”).
What is the origin of the name Collins?
Collins is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Collins?
Since 1880, 10,779 girls and 3,686 boys in the U.S. have been named Collins (75% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #239 in 2023. Its highest rank for boys was #630 in 1900. In 2025 it ranked #241 for girls, with 1,334 babies given the name.
Is Collins a boy or girl name?
Collins is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (10,779 girls and 3,686 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.