Koli
An Indian name referring to a community of fisherfolk or boatmen.
Name Census estimates that about 21 living Americans carry the first name Koli. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 61.9% of registrations being male. The average person named Koli today is around 16 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Koli births was 2010 (21 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Koli. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
For a British comparison, Name Census UK has a UK baby-name profile for Koli with official rankings and popularity over time.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Koli. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
21
~ 1 in 16,321,635 Americans
Peak year
2010
21 babies that year
Average age
16
years old
2010 SSA rank
#6,567
Tracked since 2010
Gender
Gender distribution for Koli
Koli is one of the more evenly split names in the SSA data. Of the 21 total registrations, 13 (61.9%) were male and 8 (38.1%) were female.
Koli as a male name
- Ranked #6,567 in 2010
- 13 male births in 2010
- Peak: 2010 (13 births)
Koli as a female name
- Ranked #12,918 in 2010
- 8 female births in 2010
- Peak: 2010 (8 births)
Popularity
Koli: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Koli by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Koli during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 13 | 8 | 21 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Koli
The name Koli is believed to have its origins in the Sanskrit language, which was the classical language of ancient India. It is derived from the word "koli," which means a branch or a twig. This suggests that the name may have been used to refer to someone who lived in a forest or a rural area.
In Hindu mythology, Koli is also the name of a tribe or caste that was known for their skills in hunting and fishing. The Koli people were considered to be one of the earliest inhabitants of the western regions of India, particularly in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
The earliest recorded use of the name Koli can be found in ancient Indian texts and inscriptions dating back to the 6th century CE. One notable historical figure with this name was Koli Kaḷḷar, a Tamil poet and philosopher who lived during the 7th century CE. He was known for his contributions to the Saiva tradition of Hinduism and his works on ethics and spirituality.
Another prominent figure with the name Koli was Koli Vicharen, a 12th-century Indian mathematician and astronomer. He was known for his work on the calculation of planetary positions and the development of mathematical techniques for astronomical calculations.
In the 16th century, Koli Nath was a renowned Indian mystic and saint who belonged to the Nath tradition. He was revered for his spiritual teachings and his ability to perform miracles.
During the 19th century, Koli Patil was a prominent Indian freedom fighter who played a significant role in the struggle against British colonial rule. He led several uprisings against the British and was eventually captured and executed in 1857.
Koli Narahari, born in 1876, was a prominent Indian social reformer and educator. He was instrumental in establishing several educational institutions and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities in India.
While the name Koli has its roots in ancient Indian culture and history, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly among communities with Indian or South Asian heritage. However, the historical and cultural significance of the name remains deeply rooted in its Sanskrit origins and the legacy of the Koli people in India.
People
Koli + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Koli as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Koli: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Koli?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 21 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Koli going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 16,321,635 US residents.
Is Koli a common name?
We classify Koli as "Very Rare". It ranks above 40.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 21 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Koli most popular?
The single biggest year for Koli was 2010, when 21 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Koli is about 16 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Koli in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Koli a male name?
Yes, 61.9% of people registered as Koli in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Koli still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Koli in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Koli can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are named Koli?
Find out how many people share the name Koli on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — a quick modern estimate with the living-bearer count front and centre.