Boy's name

Colla

“KUL-a”

an ancient name; Woulfe records no meaning for it

Colla Uais

Source: Woulfe, Irish Names and Surnames (1923) ↗

The story behind the name

An ancient Irish name, formerly common among the MacDonalds, MacSweeneys and MacMahons of Ulster. The three Collas of legend are the traditional founders of Oriel.

Where the name belongs

Monaghan Armagh

Quick answers

How do you pronounce Colla?

Colla is pronounced “KUL-a”. Irish has three main dialect groups (Ulster, Connacht and Munster) and many names are said differently in each. The respellings here give the pronunciation most commonly heard in Irish English; where a well-known variant exists, both are shown.

What does the name Colla mean?

Colla means an ancient name; Woulfe records no meaning for it.

Is Colla a boy's or a girl's name?

Colla is traditionally a boy's name in Ireland.

How else is Colla spelled?

Other spellings and equivalents include Colla Uais. Irish names were written down by English-speaking clerks for centuries, which is why so many spellings survive for one name.

Related names

Colm Colmán Conchobhar Pádraig Fearghas Naoise Ardghal Ceallach

Meanings follow Ó Corráin & Maguire's Irish Names and Woulfe; pronunciations give the commonest Irish-English form. Know this name better — a dialect pronunciation, a family tradition? Tell us. · All Irish names A–Z