← All names

Coll

Boy name · 99 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Coll: 99 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 12 births in 2007.

Deriving from the Gaelic Colla, a diminutive of the Old Irish *Conall* or *Columb*, Coll most likely means "chief" or "ruler," though it's sometimes linked to the hazel tree (*coll* in Gaelic). One of the most famous bearers was Colla Uais, a legendary 4th-century High King of Ireland. In Scotland, the name is closely tied to the Clan MacDonald of Coll, and the Isle of Coll in the Inner Hebrides shares the same root. A lesser-known bearer was the botanist Coll MacKenzie, credited with introducing the rhododendron to Scottish gardens in the 18th century. Though rare today, Coll offers a crisp, strong alternative to the more common Conall or Callum, and has a pleasingly simple sound that feels both ancient and modern.