Cole

Meaning: Coal-black, swarthy
Origin: Old English

Boy's name · #182 in the US (2025) · 2000s wave

Popularity over time

Cole's best rank, #69, came in 2002; it has settled back to #182 today. Roughly 154,000 boys have been named Cole since 1886.

Across the states

See where Cole is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 50 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Cole ranks in other countries and regions.

#64 in Scotland (2025) · #179 in England & Wales (2025) · #185 in Ireland (2025) · #187 in New Zealand (2025) · #221 in N. Ireland (2025) · #2,055 in Switzerland (2025) · #2,330 in France (2025) · #181 in Canada (2024).

Famous Coles

Cole Palmer — English footballer (born 2002)
Cole Porter — American composer and songwriter (1891–1964)
Cole Sprouse — American actor (born 1992)
Cole Hauser — American actor
Cole Hocker — American middle-distance runner

As a surname

It is also an American family name — about 195,000 people carried it as a surname in the 2010 census.

Ashley Cole — English association football player (born 1980)
Natalie Cole — American singer (1950–2015)
Joe Cole — English association football player (born 1981)

In stories & tradition

Cole Turner — Charmed (comics)
Cole North — Daredevil (comics)
Cole Decshanel — Sunset Beach (TV series)

What Coles become

Among 351 notable people named Cole:

Sports figures appear 3.23× more often than among typical names — e.g. Cole Palmer, English footballer (born 2002).

Similar names: Kole · Riley · Colin · Kyle · Ashton · Colby

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service