Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

How dated is Colin?

270 replies

insidejobb · 03/04/2021 16:30

We are trying to choose a name for our first baby which will be a boy. We are almost set on Colin and have made the mistake of telling other people. Most of them have asked whether we are having a baby or an 80 year old man and making comments about how dated it is. One of my friends even said "who looks at a baby and think it looks like a Colin?"

I like to think it's a very traditional and timeless name and I know comments could be worse but they still get to me.

What are your thoughts on it?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
LaMainDeFatima · 03/04/2021 16:32

It's your choice but I would put it in the same category as Gary, Kevin and Dave

Sooverthemill · 03/04/2021 16:32

I'm afraid I hate it! It seems really old fashioned to me but I also do t like many of the trad names that are coming back. It was very popular in the 50s when I was born. But if you like , it that's the important thing.

DramaAlpaca · 03/04/2021 16:33

I actually like it.

DietrichandDiMaggio · 03/04/2021 16:34

It goes with names like Alan, Derek and Graham to me.

partyatthepalace · 03/04/2021 16:35

Ah - I don’t think they mean to be mean, they are probably a bit surprised as it is pretty dated - it will come round again of course - but not immediately. It falls into a similar category as Norman, Nigel or Lionel.

If it’s going to bother you there are similar names eg Corin you could go for.

Dollywilde · 03/04/2021 16:35

I really like Colin! It helps that we have a v attractive mid-30s one at work Wink and I rather like Colin Murray.

(Suddenly worrying I have a bit of a thing for Colins...)

For me it’s in the same category as Peter. Classic but underused.

YellowandGreenToBeSeen · 03/04/2021 16:36

I think I might genuinely be your friend! (Although haven’t had this conversation for years, I absolutely have uttered these words)

Disfordarkchocolate · 03/04/2021 16:36

I don't mind it but it's a dogs name to me now. How about Malcolm?

PattyPan · 03/04/2021 16:37

I do think it is quite dated (would agree it’s in the category with Derek, Ian, Nigel etc) but my first thought is actually ‘the caterpillar’ BlushCake

EssentialHummus · 03/04/2021 16:37

I’d be a bit Confused at a baby Colin but it’s not offensive.

MiddleParking · 03/04/2021 16:39

My friend is married to an extremely cool, young Colin. I like it a lot. Names do come in and out of fashion - how many baby Bettys and Ediths do we all hear of these days? I bet the parents of the ones at the start of this wave got a few unkind comments.

BlackberrySky · 03/04/2021 16:40

I would call it dated rather than timeless. Timeless in my mind is Edward, Thomas, James etc. Colin has mates called Keith and Lenny.

Cismyfatarse · 03/04/2021 16:42

What about Callum instead? Gaelic version?

Shortiemyboo · 03/04/2021 16:44

I quite like it

BrownEyedGirl80 · 03/04/2021 16:48

He'd have no problem getting a personalised birthday cake

AdaColeman · 03/04/2021 16:50

I quite like the name, and think it's part of the same trend as the now fashionable "old lady" names.

Also, many Colins will be Grandfathers by now, in their 70s or 80s, so the name could become popular once again if a family name is selected.

But for a generation, Colin will always be Colin the Caterpillar Cake!

TheWaif · 03/04/2021 16:51

Oh come off it... Have you ever met an interesting Colin? Even when it was more in use it was awful. Why not fucking Nigel or Kevin.. it's verging on cruel.

Mumoblue · 03/04/2021 16:52

My dad’s a Colin and he’s in his mid fifties. Personally I’m not that keen on the name but that’s mostly because I’m not that keen on my dad. Wink

I did look after a Colin at an after school club a few years ago, so it’s not a super rare name.

MiddleParking · 03/04/2021 16:52

@TheWaif

Oh come off it... Have you ever met an interesting Colin? Even when it was more in use it was awful. Why not fucking Nigel or Kevin.. it's verging on cruel.
Colin Farrell could bore me all he liked 🤷🏻‍♀️
muffindays · 03/04/2021 16:53

Awful OP, sorry.

GappyValley · 03/04/2021 16:53

I don’t think I would be able to keep a straight face if someone introduced their baby to me as Colin

I’m also struggling with the idea of Colin the toddler or Colin the 9 year old.

Sorry OP but it’s absolutely awful

Cheekyweegobshite · 03/04/2021 16:54

My dog is called Colin. Just saying.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 03/04/2021 16:54

Are you in England/Wales? I'm not sure about Ireland/Scotland (where Colin originates from as a variation of Nicholas, so it might be more well used there), but I think in E & W it is seen as more of a "dad" name (eg. for men 40/50 plus) like Alan, Martin etc. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as it means he will likely be the only one in his class/year whilst still having a nice sounding, well-known name, but if you want a more "classic" sounding name I'd go for Nicholas and use the nn Col/Cole.

TheWaif · 03/04/2021 16:55

Is Colin Farrell interesting?! 😬

Blueskytoday06 · 03/04/2021 16:55

I think it should be retired

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.