Cailean
Boy name · 357 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Cailean: 357 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 19 births in 2008.
Cailean is a traditional Scottish Gaelic name meaning "whelp" or "young dog," originally a term of endearment for a strong, loyal youth. It is the native Gaelic form of the name Colin, which became widespread in Scotland after the Anglo-Norman influx. The most famous historical bearer is Cailean Mór (Colin the Great), a 15th-century chief of Clan Maclean, whose descendants took the surname MacCailean. The name also appears in Gaelic place-names like Cailean's Well on the Isle of Mull. While often anglicised as Colin, Cailean has enjoyed a revival in modern Scotland, prized for its authentic Gaelic roots and strong clan associations. It remains distinct from the similar-sounding Callum, which derives from the Latin Columba.
Boy 38 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 200819 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #24317 babies
- Total births
- 357since 1984
- 5-year trend
- ≈ stablevs prior 5y