Where does the name Cole come from?

Cole is a boy name of Old English origin.

Is Cole a boy or a girl name?

Cole is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 0% of children given the name Cole are girls and 100% are boys.

How popular is the name Cole in 2023?

Cole ranks #7731 for boys in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 2002 with 6,054 babies.

How do you pronounce Cole?

Cole is pronounced KOHL (1 syllable).

What are common spellings of Cole?

Cole is also written as Coley, Kohle.

A name from Old English · Boy

Cole

From the Old English personal name Cola, possibly from col meaning 'coal' or 'dark' — a nickname for someone with dark hair or complexion. Used as a surname and given name in medieval England.

Compare

Popularity over time

A 137-year arc in numbers.

149,866 U.S. births recorded from 1886–2023.

Popularity · 1886–2023

2,378 births in 2023

1886 1954 2023

Babies named per year Peak year Most recent

Meaning

A name that means something.

CFrom the Old English personal name Cola, possibly from col meaning 'coal' or 'dark' — a nickname for someone with dark hair or complexion. Used as a surname and given name in medieval England.

Variants & spellings

2 ways to spell "Cole".

Each transliteration carries a slightly different cultural fingerprint.

Coley Most common Kohle

Famous bearers

People who carry the name Cole.

C
Cole Porter (composer)
C
Nat King Cole (singer; surname)
C
Cole Sprouse (actor)

Quick answers

People often ask about Cole.

What does the name Cole mean?: Cole means from the Old English personal name Cola, possibly from col meaning 'coal' or 'dark' — a nickname for someone with dark hair or complexion. Used as a surname and given name in medieval England.
Where does the name Cole come from?: Cole is a boy name of Old English origin.
Is Cole a boy or a girl name?: Cole is used for both. In U.S. Social Security records, about 0% of children given the name Cole are girls and 100% are boys.
How popular is the name Cole in 2023?: Cole ranks #7731 for boys in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 2002 with 6,054 babies.
How do you pronounce Cole?: Cole is pronounced KOHL (1 syllable).
What are common spellings of Cole?: Cole is also written as Coley, Kohle.

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From the Old English brad ('broad') + leah ('wood, clearing'); 'broad meadow'

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From Old English dæl meaning 'valley' — originally a surname for someone who lived in a valley

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From Old English eorl, the title of a nobleman ranking below a king — etymologically related to Old Norse jarl

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From the Middle English surname todde meaning 'fox' — a nickname applied to a cunning or fox-haired person

About this page

Popularity counts come from the U.S. Social Security Administration's national dataset. Meanings and origins are curated from etymological sources. If you spot an error, please let us know.