Holding steady.
Popularity of Colleene since 1924
Babies named Colleene per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1926, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Colleene's real moment was 1935.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 40 |
| 1930s | 32 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 21 |
| 1960s | 22 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Colleene is a rare spelling variant of Colleen, an Irish-derived name that enjoyed modest popularity in the United States during the early to mid-20th century. Its peak year was 1935, when it likely reached its highest usage, though it never entered the top 1000 names nationally. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1924 and has remained in consistent but very low use since, with a trajectory described as stable in recent years. As a feminine name with Irish roots, Colleene evokes a sense of heritage while remaining distinctive. Unlike its more common counterpart Colleen, this spelling has always been rare, appearing only a handful of times per year in recent decades. Without any top state concentration, Colleene's usage has been scattered across the country, reflecting its status as an uncommon choice.
Colleene is a spelling variant of Colleen, which emerged in the 19th century as an anglicized form of the Irish word cailín meaning 'girl' or 'young woman'. It was popularized as a given name in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States, where it saw modest usage peaking in the 1930s. The name is often associated with Irish heritage, though its etymological origin remains debated between a direct borrowing of the Irish word and a revival of the older name Cóilín.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Col, Lee, Lena
Sibling names for Colleene
Names that share Colleene's style, for a brother or sister.
