Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Coleen since 1912
Babies named Coleen per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 60 |
| 1920s | 356 |
| 1930s | 731 |
| 1940s | 1,052 |
| 1950s | 3,308 |
| 1960s | 3,567 |
| 1970s | 1,605 |
| 1980s | 738 |
| 1990s | 386 |
| 2000s | 138 |
| 2010s | 52 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Coleen first entered U.S. records in 1912, but it became prominent in the mid-20th century, reaching its peak rank in 1963. Since 1985, its usage has steadily declined. The name is an Americanized spelling of Cóilín, which traces back to the Irish word for 'girl'. Despite its Irish roots, Coleen is mainly a modern American coinage. It has not seen a revival and remains uncommon today.
Coleen is an Anglicized spelling of the Irish name Cóilín, which itself is a diminutive of the Irish word 'cailín', meaning 'girl' or 'young woman'. It emerged as a given name in the English-speaking world in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it gained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. The name is often associated with Irish heritage, though its use as a personal name is largely an American innovation.
Where Coleen is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Coleen” around the world
Where Coleen lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Col, Leen, Coco
Sibling names for Coleen
Names that share Coleen's style, for a brother or sister.
