How dated is Colin?

[insidejobb]

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?

Names are funny old things - if you like it use it, there's nothing offensive about it and there are an awful lot of nice Colins out there .....Colin Firth, Colin Jackson, Colin Farrell, Colin Salmon etc etc

For what it's worth, the hottest boy in my sixth form was called Nigel! Blond clever and gorgeous......

@insidejobb

I thought my friends and family had been rude but some of you are much worse. No, my child will not be greasy, antisocial and slow and absolutely not a perv just because we might name him Colin. I think I've heard enough.

For the rest of you that still disliked it but did so with kindness, thank you.

Some people can't help but be rude. I like the name Colin, I know a few Colin's and they're lovely men. Name your baby whatever you would like. I like the idea of a child having a name that's not so common.

If it’s dated few will Have it... nobody wants yet another Logan, callum, Reuben or Jackson -

I have to laugh at these name threads where people go ermahgawd that’s awful what about Alfie or Jack like every other child in the playground.

OP I know a Colin who is the loveliest person on the planet (and 15) and another who’s a massive narcissistic dickhead in his 40s... it’s a name not a personality.

People should dump the stereotypes

With kindness, it's awful.

I think it's dated, but it's still a nice name, easy to pronounce etc.

I'm really sorry OP but I really don't like it. I'd never criticise you though as choosing a name is such a personal thing and YOU & DH have to like it and if you think it feels right, go for it.

Just a thought though, have you considered Cole? It was actually on my list, only DH vetoed it Sorry if it's been mentioned I didn't RTFT.

Always reminds me of this

It’s very dated but at same time if you both like it then it’s your child to name so do it :)

How can anyone equate the name Colin with Nigel?

It's fine, as are Malcolm and Ian to me.

Archie, Arthur, Sidney and the ghastly Oliver are popular yet people criticise Colin?!

Hate it...sorry!

I like the name Colin. I’m 34 and there was a Colin a couple of years above me in school that the girls all adored. That’s literally my only experience of a Colin.

I work in a school and I like it when children have classic names from a different era to what is currently fashionable. They’re usually the only one in the class, the other children accept it the same as they accept any other name, and the child can then make it their own.

It’s bloody awful.

How can anyone equate the name Colin with Nigel?

There is one specific quite unusual thing that those two names have in common. They both have two completely different origins/meanings. Colin can come from a Gaelic word meaning "young hound" or a French diminutive of Nicolas. Nigel can either be related to Neil or from a Latin word meaning "little dark one." The only other name I know that shares that distinction is Drew (either short for Andrew or from the Germanic name Drogo).

For what it's worth, I don't 100% like the name Colin but not because it is out of fashion. I don't see why it shouldn't be popular when names like Calum are. It's just that for some reason when I hear Colin I always think of cauliflower!

Won't every birthday party be a bit awkward when he has the same name as the Caterpillar birthday Cake

No it’s awful! My nephews middle name is Colin and it was dated when he was born 20 years ago! so many nicer names about.

Colin has always been dated.

@BrownEyedGirl80

He'd have no problem getting a personalised birthday cake

😆 Brilliant!

Colin Firth often quipped about his name being dated, and he is 60! He said it's the sort of name you would give your goldfish, as a joke. If you love it, go for it, but if other people's comments about it irl are going to upset you, you should probably rethink it.

I've taught one, he'd be about 19 now I should think. He was quite a tough but chirpy character so didn't get any hassle. I've also taught a Brian and a Nigel that would be in their mid 20s.

Colin Creevey, Colin Craven. Colin the caterpillar. Colin is a joke/ annoying character name. I’m not sure it’s even dated it’s just bloody awful. And I like traditional/dated names.

I quite like it. It reminds me of Colin Firth (love).

But hey, I like other names people have criticised in this thread (Alan, Dave, Gary, Graham, Mapcolm...) and had two on my shortlist. I hate many of the trendy names often suggested. Use a name you love!

Very, very limited imagination on display in this thread. Sad. When Nigel is the most popular name in the UK, with Colin also in the top 5, you'll all finally recognise me as having my finger on the pulse long before anyone else.

I like it, it makes a refreshing change from all the Alfies, Archies, Arlos and other on trend/cutesy names that are everywhere at the moment.
His peers won't think the name is dated or have the same negative connotations that some posters on here have. It will just be his name and lets face it, if people are concerned that a child will be bullied for his name, there are many many worse names out there than Colin!

It's dated but not dated enough to be appealing. Sorry. It would be like calling a baby Trevor/derek/Nigel.

It's a fine name, but I prefer Cole - as in Cole Sprouse. Could use Cole until he's older?
Also be aware some Americans pronounce it Co-lin if it has a single L (Collin being the alternative). ie Colin Powell.