Collins is an English surname of Norman origin. It is derived from the Old French Colin, which is a diminutive of Nicolas. The name Collins has been in use in England since the Middle Ages and has been popularized by several notable historical figures, including the 17th-century English physician and scientist Anthony Collins and the 18th-century English poet and critic William Collins. Collins is also a common surname in Ireland, where it is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname O'Cuinnir, which means descendant of Conchobhar, a popular Irish name meaning hound-lover or wolf-lover. The name Collins has been associated with several notable achievements and events throughout history. For example, Michael Collins was a key figure in the Irish independence movement and served as both Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State and Commander-in-Chief of the National Army during the Irish Civil War. Collins is also the name of several fictional characters, including the protagonist of the popular science fiction novel and film The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams's Arthur Dent, who adopts the name Collins as an alias while traveling through space. In addition to its use as a surname, Collins has also been used as a given name, particularly in the United States. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Collins was the 2,261st most popular girls' name in the United States in 2020, while Collin (an alternative spelling) was the 198th most popular boys' name. Collins has also been used as a brand name for various products and services, including Collins Aerospace (a leading provider of aviation and defense products and services) and Collins Radio (a historic radio manufacturer that played a significant role in the development of radio communication technology). Collins is a popular name for geographic features, including mountains, rivers, and towns. For example, Mount Collins in Colorado is a prominent mountain peak in the Rocky Mountains, while Collins River in Tennessee is a popular destination for fishing and boating. Collins has been used as a name for various animals, including dogs, horses, and even a species of fish (the Collins' wrasse, a marine fish native to the Indo-Pacific region).

The root form of Collins is Collins — meaning People of victory or pup.

Collins remains a beloved choice, ranking #418 in the US. Timeless appeal across cultures and generations.