Collins is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from the name of an ancient Celtic tribe known as the Coll. The name means "small hill" or "hollow," referring to the geographical location where these people lived.
The Collins family can trace its roots back to the Highlands of Scotland, where they were originally chiefs of their own clan. They are believed to have been related to the MacDonalds and other powerful Highland clans.
In the Middle Ages, many members of the Collins clan migrated south to Ireland, where they became prominent landowners and politicians. Some Collins families also settled in England, Wales, and other parts of the British Isles.
Today, Collins is a common surname throughout the English-speaking world, with large populations found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Despite its Scottish origins, Collins has become associated with Irish culture due to the large number of Irish immigrants who bore the name.
The Collins surname has been carried by many notable individuals throughout history, including several prominent political figures, writers, musicians, and athletes. Some examples include Michael Collins, an Irish revolutionary leader who played a crucial role in the Easter Rising of 1916; Jackie Collins, a British-American novelist known for her glamorous and sexually explicit novels; and Buddy Holly, the American rock and roll musician who was killed in a plane crash alongside other notable musicians like Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.
In literature, the surname Collins is also famously associated with the character of Mrs. Bennett from Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. While not a central figure herself, Mrs. Bennett's constant fretting about her daughters' marital prospects provides much comic relief throughout the story.
Overall, while Collins may have originated as a Scottish surname meaning "small hill" or "hollow," its history has been shaped by centuries of migration, intermarriage, and cultural exchange across multiple continents. Today, it stands as a testament to the rich diversity of human experience that underlies even the most seemingly straightforward family names.
The name Collins has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States, according to data from the Social Security Administration. Between 1982 and 2023, there have been a total of 8,251 babies named Collins born in the U.S.
In the early years of this period, the name was relatively uncommon, with only six births reported annually between 1982 and 1983. However, starting from the year 2000, there was a notable rise in the number of newborns given the name Collins.
The year 2010 marked a turning point, with 116 babies named Collins born that year. This number continued to grow steadily each year, reaching 765 births in 2019 and peaking at 1,234 births in 2022. The most recent data available, from 2023, shows a slight decrease with 1,269 births.
This upward trend suggests that the name Collins has become increasingly popular among parents in the United States over time, perhaps due to its perceived strength, uniqueness, or other positive associations. However, it is important to note that popularity can fluctuate from year to year and may be influenced by various factors such as cultural trends, celebrity influence, and personal preferences.
In conclusion, while Collins was not a common name in the United States during the early 1980s, its popularity has grown significantly over the past few decades. As of 2023, it remains one of the more popular names for boys in the country, with thousands of newborns being given this name each year.