Coileán

Coileán is an Irish masculine given name derived from a byname meaning "whelp, young dog".

Etymology

The name traces back to Middle Irish Cuilén (literally “pup, youth, trickster”), from Old Irish cuilén (“pup, cub”). The ultimate origin is from Proto-Celtic *kolignos (“whelp”), which may be of non-Indo-European origin. Coileán is often anglicized as Colin, though that name is etymologically unrelated. The Scottish Gaelic cognate is Cailean.

Historical Bearers

The name is historically significant, borne by several early Irish kings and saints, among them Coileán mac Fogartaig, a 9th-century king of Brega, holding authority in the region of modern County Meath.

• Meaning: “whelp, young dog”
• Origin: Irish, from Old Irish cuilén
• Type: First name (masculine)
• Usage regions: Ireland