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

Popularity of Coley by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Coley is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 72% of people named Coley being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 female babies and 6 male babies born with the name Coley.

It's also interesting to see that despite Coley being historically a mostly male name, the most recent data from 2023 shows a shift in the trend, with more female babies being named Coley.

The history of the first name Coley

The given name Coley is believed to have originated as a diminutive or nickname form of the name Colin, which itself derives from the Old Celtic name Cullen or Caillen. The root of these names can be traced back to the Latin word "columba," meaning "dove."

Coley first emerged as a distinct name during the Middle Ages in parts of Britain and Ireland, where Celtic names were prevalent. It was likely a familiar and affectionate form used to address those named Colin, much like modern nicknames like Colly or Cole.

While the name Coley does not appear to have any direct historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its root name Colin has been found in various medieval records and chronicles from the British Isles.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Coley can be found in the 13th century, when a Coley de Stourton was documented as a landowner in Wiltshire, England. Another early instance was Coley de Kenardington, who lived in Kent, England, in the late 13th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the first name Coley. Among them are:

1. Coley Bailey (1889-1976), an American baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox in the early 20th century.

2. Coley Blanchard (1895-1971), an American football player and coach who played for and later coached the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in the 1920s and 1930s.

3. Coley Arcoleo (1898-1976), an Italian-American mobster and member of the Chicago Outfit who was active during the Prohibition era.

4. Coley Wallace (1937-2017), an American professional golfer who won several tournaments on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s.

5. Coley McCrath (1946-2011), an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who was a member of the folk-rock band Bonnie Raitt and Friends.

While the name Coley may not be as widely used today as it once was, it holds a rich history and heritage rooted in the Celtic cultures of the British Isles, from its earliest origins as a diminutive form of the name Colin.

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

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

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