Find out how popular the first name Coal has been for the last 29 years (from 1994 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.
A masculine name of English origin meaning "glowing ember".
Based on the last 29 years of data, Coal is exclusively a male name.
For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Coal.
Year | Male Count | Female Count |
---|---|---|
2022 | 6 | 0 |
2019 | 8 | 0 |
2017 | 13 | 0 |
2016 | 14 | 0 |
2015 | 7 | 0 |
2014 | 11 | 0 |
2013 | 11 | 0 |
2012 | 7 | 0 |
2010 | 12 | 0 |
2008 | 5 | 0 |
2007 | 9 | 0 |
2006 | 9 | 0 |
2005 | 12 | 0 |
2004 | 5 | 0 |
2003 | 6 | 0 |
2002 | 9 | 0 |
2001 | 5 | 0 |
2000 | 8 | 0 |
1999 | 6 | 0 |
1994 | 6 | 0 |
The name Coal has its origins in the ancient Germanic languages, tracing back to the Proto-Germanic word "kul-". This word referred to the dark, burnable sedimentary rock that was commonly used as fuel for fire and heating. The name likely emerged as a descriptive name or a nickname for someone who worked with coal or had a dark complexion.
In the Middle Ages, the name Coal was occasionally used in various parts of Europe, particularly in areas where coal mining was a prominent industry. However, there are no definitive records of the name being widely used or appearing in significant historical texts or scriptures during this period.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Coal date back to the 16th century in England. One notable bearer of the name was Coal Greevy, an English coal miner born in 1572 in Nottinghamshire. He was known for his involvement in the development of early coal mining techniques and safety practices.
Another historical figure with the name Coal was Coal Hewitt (1592-1662), a Welsh farmer and landowner who played a role in the English Civil War. He supported the Parliamentarian cause and provided resources to the forces opposing King Charles I.
In the 18th century, Coal Jenkinson (1717-1788) was a notable English entrepreneur and industrialist who established several successful coal mining operations in the North of England. His business ventures contributed significantly to the growth of the coal industry during the Industrial Revolution.
During the 19th century, Coal Yates (1837-1912) was a prominent American labor leader and activist who fought for the rights of coal miners. He led several strikes and campaigns to improve working conditions and safety standards in the coal mining industry.
In the early 20th century, Coal Black (1901-1981) was a respected African American educator and civil rights advocate. He taught in segregated schools in the American South and worked tirelessly to promote equal educational opportunities for Black students.
While the name Coal has not been widely popular throughout history, it has been borne by individuals who made significant contributions in various fields, particularly in the coal mining industry and labor rights movements.
The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.
The history and meaning of the name Coal was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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<a href="http://namecensus.com/first-names/coal-meaning-and-history/">Coal first name popularity, history and meaning</a>
"Coal first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 10, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/coal-meaning-and-history/.
"Coal first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/coal-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 10 September, 2025
Coal first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/coal-meaning-and-history/.
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