What does Oisin mean?
Oisín means “little deer” or “fawn.” He is the poet-warrior of Irish legend.
What does Colm mean?
Colm means “dove,” from the Latin columba; Saint Colm Cille (Columba) bore it.
Oisin vs Colm
Which is more popular?
Oisin is more popular than Colm today: about 22 US babies were given the name Oisin in 2025, compared with 12 named Colm.
| Oisin | Colm | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Little deer | Dove |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | uh-SHEEN | KUL-um |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1991 | 1962 |
| Peak year | 2020 (31) | 2007 (28) |
| In 2025 | 22 | 12 |
| Trend | Rising | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Oisin
Colm
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Oisin | Colm |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 157 | 84 |
| 2010s | 181 | 145 |
| 2000s | 132 | 189 |
| 1990s | 43 | 119 |
| 1980s | 0 | 44 |
| 1970s | 0 | 49 |
| 1960s | 0 | 32 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Oisin or Colm more popular?
Oisin is more popular than Colm today: about 22 US babies were given the name Oisin in 2025, compared with 12 named Colm.
What is the difference between Oisin and Colm?
Oisin means Little deer (Irish origin), while Colm means Dove (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Oisin or Colm?
In US records, Oisin first appears in 1991 and Colm in 1962, so Colm has the longer recorded history.