Find out how popular the first name Cole has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cole by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Cole is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Cole being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 2,359 male babies and 14 female babies born with the name Cole.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 14 baby girls were named Cole in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Cole

The name Cole has its origins in an Old English word "col" which means "swarthy" or "coal-black". It arose as a nickname referring to a person with dark features or complexion. The name first appeared in medieval England during the 11th century.

Cole is a derived form of the medieval name Coll, a shortened version of the Germanic name Kolbain or Kolbrand, meaning "black stranger". Variations of the name include Col, Coll, and Colle, which were common spellings in medieval records.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Cole Lukyn, a member of the English Parliament who lived in the 14th century. Another notable figure was Cole Porter, the American composer and songwriter (1891-1964), known for his sophisticated lyrics and melodies in musicals like "Anything Goes" and "Kiss Me, Kate".

In the 16th century, Sir Cole of Gascony was a renowned knight who fought alongside King Arthur in the Arthurian legends. Although a fictional character, he was depicted as a brave and loyal companion to the legendary British king.

Nathaniel Cole, better known as Nat King Cole (1919-1965), was an influential American singer and jazz pianist. He popularized many hits like "Unforgettable" and "Mona Lisa", and was a pioneer in breaking racial barriers in the entertainment industry.

Another notable figure was Samuel Cole (1809-1892), an American manufacturer who founded the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, one of the oldest railroads in the United States.

Herman Cole (1644-1692) was a British pirate and privateer who operated in the Caribbean during the late 17th century. He was known for his daring raids and infamous exploits, which made him a legendary figure in maritime history.

Data source

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 Cole was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cole, please contact us.

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