Collins Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOL-ins //ˈkɒl.ɪnz//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: 'descendant of Caileann'; English: 'young creature'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Collins has its roots in the Old French name "Colin," which itself is derived from the Latin "Colinus," a diminutive form of "Columba," meaning "dove." The name Colin was introduced into England after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where it evolved into various forms, including Collins, as a patronymic surname indicating "son of Colin." This transition reflects the linguistic shifts that occurred as Old French mingled with Old English, leading to the adoption of surnames based on given names during the medieval period. Historically, the name Collins has been associated with several notable figures.
One significant milestone is the use of the name in the 17th century, particularly in literary contexts. The name appears in various works of literature and has been borne by several saints, including Saint Colin, who is recognized in certain Christian traditions.
The name's presence in ecclesiastical contexts contributed to its enduring appeal, as it was often linked to themes of peace and purity, symbolized by the dove. Culturally, the name Collins has resonated through various traditions and has been associated with familial ties, particularly in the context of English-speaking countries.
The use of diminutive forms, such as Collie or Coll, has also been noted, reflecting a trend in affectionate naming practices. The name's association with qualities such as gentleness and harmony, stemming from its meaning related to the dove, has further solidified its place in cultural narratives.
Overall, Collins has maintained a presence in both historical and cultural contexts, reflecting a blend of linguistic heritage and symbolic significance.
Fictional characters named Collins
The following list of fictional characters named Collins is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Collins is a fictional character from the musical and film Rent. He is a close friend of the protagonist Mark and a passionate advocate for social justice.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Collins, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Collins. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Collins was first seen in the United States in 1982.
Collins has ranked as high as #474 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee.
In the past 5 years the name Collins has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Collins is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Collins was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Collins (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 147 | |
| NC | 73 | |
| GA | 58 | |
| TN | 58 | |
| AL | 58 | |
| FL | 46 | |
| OH | 42 | |
| MO | 41 | |
| IN | 39 | |
| CA | 37 | |
| PA | 35 | |
| MN | 34 | |
| LA | 34 | |
| NE | 33 | |
| IL | 32 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Collins.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,237 |
| 2023 | 1,271 |
| 2022 | 1,234 |
| 2021 | 1,001 |
| 2020 | 846 |
| 2019 | 765 |
| 2018 | 607 |
| 2017 | 494 |
| 2016 | 452 |
| 2015 | 405 |
| 2014 | 329 |
| 2013 | 248 |
| 2012 | 265 |
| 2011 | 177 |
| 2010 | 116 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1982 | 6 |