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

Popularity of Coleman by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 176 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Coleman.

The history of the first name Coleman

The name Coleman is an English given name derived from the Old English words "col" meaning coal and "mann" meaning man, resulting in the meaning "coal man" or "charcoal burner." This occupational name dates back to the Middle Ages when charcoal burning was a common trade.

The earliest recorded use of the name Coleman can be traced back to the 13th century in England. One of the earliest known individuals with the name was Coleman de Wych, a wealthy landowner and merchant who lived in London during the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, a notable figure named Coleman the Younger was a renowned architect and stonemason responsible for designing several churches and cathedrals in England, including the iconic York Minster.

During the Renaissance period, Coleman Castellio, an Italian humanist and scholar born in 1516, gained recognition for his contributions to the field of linguistics and his advocacy for religious tolerance.

In the 17th century, Coleman Adeyr, a Welsh poet and writer born in 1638, was widely celebrated for his poetic works that captured the beauty of the Welsh landscape and the struggles of the common people.

Moving into the 18th century, Coleman Hawkins, an American jazz saxophonist born in 1904, is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz music. His innovative style and improvisational skills helped shape the development of the jazz genre.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the given name Coleman. The name's origins as an occupational name related to the coal trade have endured over the centuries, and it continues to be used as a given name in various parts of the English-speaking world.

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

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

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