girls' name · peaked 1959

Coleen

A female given name from Ancient Greek, variant of Coline, from Nicoline.

Every Coleen since 1912 — 11,998 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.060.130.190.2518801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1963Girls
Rank 2025
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Coleen
Peak year
1959
423 babies
All-time total
11,998
since 1912

The story of Coleen

Coleen is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1912, 11,998 American babies have been named Coleen. Its peak came in 1959, when 423 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Coleen stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Coleen year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank
2025
2024
2023 5 #15,705
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018 10 #9,981
2017 5 #16,414
2016 5 #16,833
2015 10 #10,304
2014 7 #13,385
2013
2012 6 #15,394
2011
2010 9 #11,473
2009 10 #10,862
2008 9 #11,805
2007 14 #8,627
2006 9 #11,648
2005 16 #7,219
2004 11 #9,394
2003 19 #6,123
2002 17 #6,457
2001 14 #7,403
2000 19 #5,759
1995 38 #3,036
1990 52 #2,380
1985 69 #1,682
1980 83 #1,461
1975 135 #937
1970 253 #649
1965 339 #517
1960 405 #486
1955 289 #541
1950 349 #434
1945 57 #1,024
1940 55 #965
1935 68 #834
1930 71 #848
1925 42 #1,197
1920 15 #2,373
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Coleen

  1. Coleen Gray Actor · 1922–2015

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Coleen mean?

A female given name from Ancient Greek, variant of Coline, from Nicoline.

How popular is the name Coleen in 2025?

Coleen did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Coleen?

11,998 babies have been named Coleen in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Coleen most popular?

Coleen peaked in 1959, when 423 newborns received the name.

Is Coleen a boy or girl name?

Coleen is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Coleen rising or falling?

Coleen is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Coleen?

Well-known people named Coleen include Coleen Gray (actor).

Names like Coleen

Compare Coleen with similar names →