What Does My Name Mean?

What does the name Colleen mean?

• My name is Colleen Joy and i've always wanted to know what it means. I mean i know Colleen is in "some" dictionarys, it means irish girl, but is that really what it means. Cuz my sister's name is Rachel and it means little lamb. Doesn't my name have a greater meaning. I see all these other names that mean great things. And from what i know all my name means is.....irish girl : /

• Answer:

  I found this for you on www.ancestry.com colleen Mainly U.S. and Australian: from the Anglo-Irish vocabulary word colleen girl, wench (Gaelic cailín). The name arose during the period of enthusiasm for Irish names in the 1940s and became especially popular in America, although it is not in fact used as a given name in Ireland. It is sometimes taken as a feminine of Colin. Joy English: from the vocabulary word (from Old French joie, Late Latin gaudia). Being “joyful in the Lord” was a duty that the Puritans took seriously, so the name became popular in the 17th century under their influence. In modern times, it is generally used as an omen name, with the intention of wishing the child a happy life (cf. Happy and Merry). Rachel English, French, and German: biblical name meaning “ewe” in Hebrew. This was borne by the beloved wife of Jacob and mother (after long barrenness) of Joseph (Genesis 28–35) and of Benjamin, at whose birth she died. In the Middle Ages and later this was a characteristically Jewish name. It is still extremely popular among Jews, but is now widely used among Gentiles as well. In Scotland it has long been used as an Anglicized form of Raghnaid (see Raghnailt). Variants: English: Rachelle; Rachael (apparently by association with Michael). Cognates: Spanish: Raquel. Italian: Rachele. Scandinavian: Rakel. Hope this helps.