Cole
Cole is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Charcoal, dark, or swarthy.
Origin and history
Cole is an English name originally derived from an Old English surname or personal name meaning 'charcoal' or 'swarthy'. It gained significant popularity in the United States starting in the late 20th century as a sleek, modern, one-syllable choice. Today, it remains a firmly established top-200 boys' name in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
154,093 babies in the United States have been named Cole since 1880. It ranks #225 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #149.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.3 %)
- TX (6.5 %)
- PA (5.5 %)
- OH (4.7 %)
- NY (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 6 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 16 |
| 1910-1920 | 190 |
| 1920-1930 | 156 |
| 1930-1940 | 127 |
| 1940-1950 | 224 |
| 1950-1960 | 562 |
| 1960-1970 | 703 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,444 |
| 1980-1990 | 8,722 |
| 1990-2000 | 33,868 |
| 2000-2010 | 56,846 |
| 2010-2019 | 36,401 |
| 2020-2029 | 14,823 |
Famous people named Cole
- Cole Hauser: actor
- Cole Sprouse: actor
- Cole Palmer: athlete
Fun facts
- Cole originated as an English surname before becoming widely adopted as a masculine given name in the United States.
- The name experienced a surge in popularity during the late 1990s and early 2000s, staying consistently well-used since.