Holding steady.
Popularity of Colan since 1915
Babies named Colan per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1994, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Colan's real moment was 1926.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 13 |
| 1930s | 17 |
| 1940s | 19 |
| 1950s | 16 |
| 1960s | 23 |
| 1970s | 18 |
| 1980s | 36 |
| 1990s | 74 |
| 2000s | 16 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Colan is a rare Irish name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1915, though it has never ranked among the top 1000 names. Its peak usage occurred in 1926, but since then it has remained extremely uncommon, with a stable trajectory in recent years. According to the latest data from 2025, Colan is not tied to any particular region, as it is too rare to appear in top state lists. The name is a variant of Colman, linking it to Saint Colmán, an early Irish missionary, giving it a subtle connection to Irish heritage. For parents seeking an unusual name with authentic Gaelic roots, Colan offers a short, sturdy option without the popularity of similar names like Colin or Declan.
Colan is a variant of the Irish name Colmán, which derives from the Old Irish word 'colm' meaning 'dove'. However, some sources suggest a possible connection to the Gaelic 'caol' meaning 'slender' or 'narrow'. The name has been used in Ireland since early Christian times, popularized by several saints, though its usage as a given name declined and saw a modest revival in the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Col, Coley
Sibling names for Colan
Names that share Colan's style, for a brother or sister.
