Collins is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Cailen," which means "swarthy" or "dark-haired." It is believed to have been brought to Scotland by Norman settlers in the 12th century and has since become quite common there.
The Collins family can trace its lineage back to the ancient clan of MacCailein Mor, which was based around Loch Ness. The clan's name translates to "son of the great Caledonian," referring to a warrior who fought against the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD.
Over time, the surname Collins has spread beyond Scotland and can now be found throughout the British Isles, as well as in other English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States. Today, it is one of the most common surnames in Ireland and Great Britain.
Some notable individuals with the surname Collins include Michael Collins, an Irish revolutionary leader who played a significant role in the Irish War of Independence; Phil Collins, the former Genesis drummer and solo artist; and Joan Collins, the British actress best known for her role as Alexis Carrington on the soap opera Dynasty.
The statistics provided show the annual births of the name Collins in the United States from 1881 to 2023. Over this period, there have been a total of 3585 births.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of births with the name Collins varied quite a bit from year to year. The lowest recorded was in 1881 with only 8 births, while the highest between 1881 and 1909 was 14 births in 1907.
However, starting around 1913, there was a significant increase in the number of babies named Collins. The number of annual births fluctuated but remained consistently higher than in previous decades. The highest recorded number of births with the name Collins in the United States was in 2023, with 62 births.
This data suggests that while the name Collins has not been extremely popular throughout history, it has experienced periods of increased popularity, particularly since the early 20th century. It is interesting to observe how trends in naming have changed over time and continue to evolve today.