Cailean

Cailean is a masculine given name of Scottish Gaelic origin. In Gaelic usage, it is the form used for the name Colin, a given name that has long been common in Scotland. The form Colin itself is historically a diminutive associated with Nicholas, developed through medieval French and Latin forms, so Cailean shares the same etymological lineage.

In Scottish Gaelic contexts, Cailean is recognized as the native Gaelic version of Colin and is found in both historical records and contemporary Gaelic-language usage. It is most commonly encountered within Scotland and among Gaelic-speaking communities, and it may be chosen by families seeking to emphasize Gaelic heritage. Outside Scotland, Cailean tends to appear primarily in settings that aim to preserve or celebrate Gaelic identity, whereas Colin remains the widespread English-language form.

Variants and related names are primarily the English Colin, which functions as the direct Anglicized form. While numerous languages have their own equivalents for Nicholas as a root name, Cailean is specifically the Gaelic rendering tied to Colin in Scottish usage. The name appears in Gaelic literature and media as part of the broader tradition of Scottish Gaelic personal names.