Cole Name Meaning
The name Cole has several possible meanings, and the most popular interpretation is “victorious people.” It can also mean “swarthy,” “charcoal,” or “coal black.”
Origins of the Name Cole
The name Cole is of English origin, derived from the old English nickname “cola,” or “coal,” which meant “swarthy” or “black.” It has been in use as a given name since the Middle Ages, and is also associated with Saint Columba, the 6th century Irish monk who established a monastery on the island of Iona in Scotland.
Popularity of the Name Cole
The name Cole has been consistently popular in the United States since the 19th century, and it currently ranks as the 35th most popular boy’s name in the country. It is also quite popular in Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, and Wales.
Final Thoughts on the Name Cole
So, there you have it: the fascinating story of the name Cole. The name has a long and rich history, several possible meanings, and is currently one of the most popular boy’s names in the English-speaking world. So, if you’re looking for a unique and meaningful name for your son, you can’t go wrong with Cole!
Infographic of Cole name meaning, which is A variant of Cola, Cole is an English name meaning charcoal.
Ask your friends & family about Cole…
Cole Name Popularity
How popular is the name Cole? Here’s everything we know.
| Year |
Rank |
# Births |
% Births |
| 1910 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1911 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1912 |
730 |
11 |
0.0022% |
| 1913 |
872 |
9 |
0.0016% |
| 1914 |
892 |
12 |
0.0017% |
| 1915 |
1,029 |
13 |
0.0014% |
| 1916 |
1,101 |
10 |
0.001% |
| 1917 |
1,321 |
6 |
0.0006% |
| 1918 |
1,201 |
8 |
0.0007% |
| 1919 |
1,407 |
6 |
0.0006% |
| 1920 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1921 |
1,633 |
5 |
0.0004% |
| 1922 |
1,392 |
6 |
0.0005% |
| 1923 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1924 |
1,349 |
7 |
0.0006% |
| 1925 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1926 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1927 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1928 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1929 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1930 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1931 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1932 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1933 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1934 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1935 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1936 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1937 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1938 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1939 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1940 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1941 |
1,401 |
5 |
0.0004% |
| 1942 |
1,317 |
6 |
0.0005% |
| 1943 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1944 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1945 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1946 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1947 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1948 |
1,511 |
5 |
0.0003% |
| 1949 |
1,479 |
5 |
0.0003% |
| 1950 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1951 |
1,318 |
7 |
0.0004% |
| 1952 |
1,435 |
5 |
0.0003% |
| 1953 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1954 |
1,001 |
21 |
0.0011% |
| 1955 |
961 |
25 |
0.0014% |
| 1956 |
1,111 |
15 |
0.0008% |
| 1957 |
1,241 |
11 |
0.0006% |
| 1958 |
888 |
34 |
0.0018% |
| 1959 |
1,149 |
15 |
0.0008% |
| 1960 |
1,207 |
12 |
0.0006% |
| 1961 |
829 |
44 |
0.0023% |
| 1962 |
928 |
30 |
0.0016% |
| 1963 |
1,064 |
18 |
0.001% |
| 1964 |
1,092 |
17 |
0.001% |
| 1965 |
1,117 |
15 |
0.0009% |
| 1966 |
1,078 |
16 |
0.001% |
| 1967 |
1,271 |
8 |
0.0005% |
| 1968 |
970 |
23 |
0.0015% |
| 1969 |
1,074 |
19 |
0.0012% |
| 1970 |
876 |
46 |
0.0029% |
| 1971 |
980 |
31 |
0.0021% |
| 1972 |
700 |
87 |
0.0064% |
| 1973 |
688 |
87 |
0.0067% |
| 1974 |
611 |
125 |
0.0096% |
| 1975 |
688 |
96 |
0.0075% |
| 1976 |
719 |
85 |
0.0066% |
| 1977 |
720 |
88 |
0.0065% |
| 1978 |
757 |
80 |
0.006% |
| 1979 |
701 |
102 |
0.0072% |
| 1980 |
507 |
235 |
0.0161% |
| 1981 |
486 |
249 |
0.0169% |
| 1982 |
262 |
783 |
0.0524% |
| 1983 |
209 |
1,091 |
0.0739% |
| 1984 |
201 |
1,138 |
0.0765% |
| 1985 |
203 |
1,158 |
0.0763% |
| 1986 |
220 |
1,049 |
0.0695% |
| 1987 |
231 |
980 |
0.0642% |
| 1988 |
259 |
868 |
0.0557% |
| 1989 |
270 |
875 |
0.0542% |
| 1990 |
248 |
1,076 |
0.0649% |
| 1991 |
162 |
1,967 |
0.1207% |
| 1992 |
143 |
2,303 |
0.1443% |
| 1993 |
130 |
2,655 |
0.1703% |
| 1994 |
111 |
3,298 |
0.2149% |
| 1995 |
117 |
3,141 |
0.2084% |
| 1996 |
106 |
3,738 |
0.2496% |
| 1997 |
71 |
5,158 |
0.3487% |
| 1998 |
77 |
5,148 |
0.344% |
| 1999 |
75 |
5,316 |
0.355% |
| 2000 |
71 |
5,926 |
0.3879% |
| 2001 |
74 |
5,740 |
0.381% |
| 2002 |
69 |
6,035 |
0.4027% |
| 2003 |
69 |
5,899 |
0.3878% |
| 2004 |
75 |
5,644 |
0.3703% |
| 2005 |
79 |
5,586 |
0.3653% |
| 2006 |
84 |
5,638 |
0.3601% |
| 2007 |
84 |
5,702 |
0.3614% |
| 2008 |
85 |
5,389 |
0.3487% |
| 2009 |
82 |
5,275 |
0.3529% |
| 2010 |
89 |
4,585 |
0.3182% |
| 2011 |
94 |
4,135 |
0.2902% |
| 2012 |
101 |
3,776 |
0.265% |
| 2013 |
114 |
3,446 |
0.242% |
| 2014 |
114 |
3,422 |
0.2349% |
| 2015 |
115 |
3,490 |
0.2399% |
| 2016 |
110 |
3,583 |
0.2485% |
| 2017 |
115 |
3,446 |
0.2469% |
| 2018 |
117 |
3,327 |
0.2422% |
| 2019 |
122 |
3,069 |
0.2267% |
| 2020 |
131 |
2,692 |
0.2115% |
| 2021 |
131 |
2,816 |
0.2304% |
| 2022 |
141 |
2,603 |
0.1973% |
District of Columbia (DC)
Data via SSA.gov.
Names Like Cole
If you like Cole, you’ll love these other names like Cole.
What names are variants of Cole?
Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Cole.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Coley
|
Swarthy, coal-black, charcoal
|
French
|
|
|
|
Colson
|
Swarthy, coal-black, charcoal
|
French
|
|
|
What names sound like Cole?
If you like how Cole sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Cole.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Cale
|
Dog
|
English
|
|
|
|
Col
|
Young creature
|
Scottish
|
|
|
|
Coll
|
High
|
Gaelic
|
|
|
|
Colle
|
Young creature
|
Scottish
|
|
|
|
Coyle
|
Leader in battle; follows the battle
|
Irish
|
|
|
What names are similar to Cole?
Find a name that’s like Cole, but just a little bit different.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Colbert
|
Renowned, bright, famous
|
German
|
|
|
|
Colin
|
Cub
|
English
|
|
|
Lists With Cole
Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Cole.
Siblings of Cole
Mamas with kids named Cole also have kids with these names.
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Rory
|
Red king
|
Irish
|
|
|
