Columba - Name Meaning and Origin

The boy's and girl's name Columba \c(o)-lu-mba\ is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "dove". Saint Columba, sixth-century Irish saint, founded an influential monastery on the Scottish island of Iona, and is supposed to have exorcised the River Ness of a monster. Though the Irish Columba was a man, two other saints of that name were both women. The dove is a Christian symbol for the Holy Spirit.

Columba has 5 variant forms: Collie, Colly, Colombe, Columbia and Columbine.

Columba is a very rare female first name and a very rare surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Columba. Click here to compare Columba with related baby names.