Holding steady.
Popularity of Kolleen since 1946
Babies named Kolleen per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 31 |
| 1950s | 172 |
| 1960s | 326 |
| 1970s | 209 |
| 1980s | 133 |
| 1990s | 105 |
| 2000s | 35 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Kolleen is a modern respelling of Colleen, which itself comes from the Irish word cailín meaning 'girl'. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1946, during a period when Irish-inspired names were gaining popularity. Kolleen reached its peak in 1962, the same year the original Colleen ranked higher. According to Social Security data, Kolleen has remained stable in recent decades, though it is now quite rare. Unlike many name variants, Kolleen has no strong association with any particular region, as top states are not listed in the data.
Kolleen is a respelling of Colleen, from the Irish word cailín meaning 'girl' or 'young woman'. The name Colleen became popular in the United States in the early 20th century, partly due to its use as a generic term for an Irish girl. The 'K' variant emerged in the 1940s, peaking in the 1960s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kollie, Lee, Lenny
Variants: Colleen
Sibling names for Kolleen
Names that share Kolleen's style, for a brother or sister.
