Kole first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kole has been for the last 49 years (from 1976 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kole

Variant of the name Cole, derived from the English surname meaning "swarthy" or "coal black".

Popularity of Kole by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Kole is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Kole being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 170 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kole.

YearMale CountFemale Count
20241700
20232240
20222156
20212716
20202670
20192780
20183018
20173105
20162936
20153136
20142880
20133236
20123316
20113530
20104280
20094330
20083636
20073810
20063525
20053760
20043350
20033235
20023270
20012890
20002580
19992550
19982150
19972020
19961550
19951600
19941380
19931240
19921050
1991670
1990560
1989320
1988390
1987330
1986330
1985360
1984380
1983310
1982210
198190
1980100
1979120
197650

The history of the first name Kole

The name Kole has its origins in the Slavic languages, particularly in the Polish and Czech cultures. It is derived from the Old Slavic word "kol," which means "head" or "summit." The name first appeared in written records as early as the 11th century CE.

In the early medieval period, the name Kole was primarily used by Slavic communities in Central and Eastern Europe, including present-day Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and parts of Germany. It was a popular name among the nobility and commoners alike, often given to boys born in the winter months or those whose families lived in mountainous regions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kole can be found in the Chronica Polonorum, a historical chronicle written in the 12th century by Wincenty Kadłubek, a Polish bishop and chronicler. The text mentions a nobleman named Kole who fought alongside the Polish ruler Bolesław I the Brave in the early 11th century.

In the 14th century, a Czech knight named Kole z Náměště was a prominent figure in the service of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia. Kole played a significant role in the military campaigns of the emperor and was granted lands and titles for his loyalty.

During the Renaissance period, a notable bearer of the name was Kole Nedzielski (1505-1562), a Polish Renaissance poet and translator. He is best known for his translations of ancient Greek and Roman works into Polish, contributing to the cultural and literary development of the Polish language.

Another historical figure was Kole Ścibor (1590-1655), a Polish nobleman and military commander who fought in the Smolensk War against Russia. He gained recognition for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield, earning him the title of "Defender of the Commonwealth."

In the 19th century, Kole Makuszyński (1884-1953) was a renowned Polish writer and author of children's literature. His works, such as "The Adventures of Koziołek Matołek," a popular book series, have become classics in Polish literature and continue to be read by generations of children.

While the name Kole has its roots in the Slavic cultures, it has also been adopted and used in other parts of the world, though with varying spellings and pronunciations. However, its historical significance and connection to the Slavic heritage remain deeply rooted in its origin and evolution.

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

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

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