Collyn

Meaning & origin

Collyn is a modern spelling variant of Colin, a name with deep Irish roots. The name Colin derives from the Irish Coileán, meaning 'pup' or 'young hound', and has been in use since medieval times in both Ireland and Scotland. The Collyn spelling first appeared in U.S. records in 1986, reflecting a trend toward unique spellings of traditional names. It reached its peak popularity in 2009, and has been declining in use since then. In 2025, it ranked 8,243 with an incidence of about 1 in 189,786 births, making it a rare choice. The name's trajectory indicates it is falling out of favor, but its rarity may appeal to parents seeking an uncommon variant. Collyn broke out in the 2000s, though it has never been common; it has no strong association with any particular U.S. state.

Collyn is a modern spelling variant of Colin, which itself derives from the Irish name Coileán, meaning 'pup' or 'young hound'. The name Colin has been used in Scotland and Ireland since the Middle Ages, and the Collyn spelling emerged in the United States in the late 20th century as a distinctive variant.