All about the name

Colleene

Female

« Colleen is an Irish feminine given name that means "slender, fair-haired," derived from the Gaelic word Caoilfhionn. »

#24596 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Colleen is a feminine given name of Irish origin. It comes from the Gaelic word "Caoilfhionn," which means "slender, fair-haired." The name has been anglicized over time and is now often spelled as Colleen. The name Colleen first gained popularity in Ireland during the 19th century, but it was not widely used outside of Ireland until the early 20th century. This was due in part to Irish immigrants bringing their traditions with them when they moved to other countries such as the United States and Australia. Colleen has since become a popular name worldwide. It is often associated with Ireland and Irish culture, but it can be given to girls of any nationality or heritage. Some notable people named Colleen include American actress Colleen Camp, Australian singer-songwriter Collette Davis, and British journalist Colleen grapevine. In recent years, the name Colleen has seen a resurgence in popularity. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, it was one of the top 1,000 names for girls born in 2019. This suggests that the name continues to be beloved by parents and remains relevant today. Overall, Colleen is a beautiful and meaningful name with deep roots in Irish culture and history. Its meaning, "slender, fair-haired," reflects the traditional physical characteristics valued in Gaelic culture, while its pronunciation makes it accessible and easy to say for speakers of many languages. This combination has helped to make Colleen a timeless and beloved name for generations of girls around the world.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Colleene since 1880

Total births
120
Total since 1880
Peak year
1926
9 births
in 1965
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years