Colleen wasn't used as a name in Ireland until recently (if at all, I've never heard it in Ireland, though people tell me it is used there). It was only used in the USA in the 20th century-- its first bearer was the American silent film star Colleen Moore (1899-1988) who was born Kathleen Morrison. "Colleen" is an anglicization of the Irish word cailín which is the word for "girl" and not a name. "Colleen" was sometimes used to refer to an Irish girl or woman, and wasn't always a positive term. See Also: Cailin