Colleen Duff

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Colleen Duff — Irish
143K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Colleen Duff is a name that combines Irish origins. The first name Colleen is a feminine given name of Irish origin. Colleen is an English-language name of Irish origin. It derives from the Irish word cailín "girl/woman", the diminutive of caile "woman, countrywoman". Although it derives from the Irish language, Colleen as a given name is rare in Ireland, but far more popular in Irish-descended communities in the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. The surname Duff: The surname Duff has several origins. In some cases, it is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Duibh ("descendant of Dubh"), Mac Giolla Duibh ("son of the servant of Dubh"), Mac Duibh ("son of Dubh"). The surname Duff is also sometimes a short form of Duffin (when of Gaelic origin), and MacElduff (from Mac Giolla Duibh), and Duffy (a name with multiple origins). The Gaelic dubh ("black", "dark") is a word-element which forms a part of several Gaelic names. Le Duff is the gallicized variant of the Breton surname An Du which means The Black. Colleen is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 143K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Colleen reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Colleen

Irish

Colleen is an English-language name of Irish origin. It derives from the Irish word cailín "girl/woman", the diminutive of caile "woman, countrywoman". Although it derives from the Irish language, Colleen as a given name is rare in Ireland, but far more popular in Irish-descended communities in the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.

Surname: Duff

Celtic

The surname Duff has several origins. In some cases, it is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Duibh ("descendant of Dubh"), Mac Giolla Duibh ("son of the servant of Dubh"), Mac Duibh ("son of Dubh"). The surname Duff is also sometimes a short form of Duffin (when of Gaelic origin), and MacElduff (from Mac Giolla Duibh), and Duffy (a name with multiple origins). The Gaelic dubh ("black", "dark") is a word-element which forms a part of several Gaelic names. Le Duff is the gallicized variant of the Breton surname An Du which means The Black.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Colleen is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Colleen by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Colleen Duff

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Colleen Duff:

4
Expression Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

1
Soul Urge Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

3
Personality Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Colleen?
The first name Colleen originates from Irish. Colleen is an English-language name of Irish origin. It derives from the Irish word cailín "girl/woman", the diminutive of caile "woman, countrywoman". Although it derives from the Irish language, Colleen as a given name is rare in Ireland, but far more popular in Irish-descended communities in the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.
When was Colleen most popular?
The name Colleen reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Duff?
The surname Duff originates from Celtic. The surname Duff has several origins. In some cases, it is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Duibh ("descendant of Dubh"), Mac Giolla Duibh ("son of the servant of Dubh"), Mac Duibh ("son of Dubh"). The surname Duff is also sometimes a short form of Duffin (when of Gaelic origin), and MacElduff (from Mac Giolla Duibh), and Duffy (a name with multiple origins). The Gaelic dubh ("black", "dark") is a word-element which forms a part of several Gaelic names. Le Duff is the gallicized variant of the Breton surname An Du which means The Black.
What are the origins of the name Colleen Duff?
The name Colleen Duff combines two different traditions: the first name Colleen has Irish roots, while the surname Duff originates from Celtic.
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