Cole Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Cole is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Cole?
Cole is spelled C-O-L-E. The name has 4 letters.
Cole at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- The surname Cole is derived from the Old English word “col,” meaning “charcoal” or “coal.”
- Origin
- Cole is commonly associated with English origins and historically used as a surname based on a descriptive term possibly relating to coal workers or a…
- Pronunciation
- kohl · 1 syllable
Cole Popularity in 2025
Rank#13,208
Recorded Births6
Rank#182
Recorded Births2,003
- Girls usage rose 269 places to #13,208 and recorded the same number of births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage fell 20 places to #182 and recorded 221 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Cole Mean?
The surname Cole is derived from the Old English word “col,” meaning “charcoal” or “coal.”
Origin: Cole is commonly associated with English origins and historically used as a surname based on a descriptive term possibly relating to coal workers or a dark complexion.
How Do You Pronounce Cole?
Pronunciationkohl
Syllables1
What Is the History of the Name Cole?
- History
- The name Cole has been documented in English historical records as both a surname and a given name. Its use as a given name became more common in recent centuries.
Cole Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2014 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 6 | #13,208 |
| 2025 | Boys | 2,003 | #182 |
| 2024 | Girls | 6 | #13,477 |
| 2024 | Boys | 2,224 | #162 |
| 2023 | Girls | 14 | #7,640 |
| 2023 | Boys | 2,364 | #155 |
| 2022 | Girls | 8 | #11,231 |
| 2022 | Boys | 2,626 | #144 |
| 2021 | Girls | 12 | #8,464 |
| 2021 | Boys | 2,835 | #132 |
| 2020 | Girls | 10 | #9,546 |
| 2020 | Boys | 2,771 | #133 |
| 2019 | Girls | 16 | #7,025 |
| 2019 | Boys | 3,093 | #123 |
| 2018 | Girls | 13 | #8,146 |
| 2018 | Boys | 3,348 | #118 |
| 2017 | Girls | 12 | #8,776 |
| 2017 | Boys | 3,468 | #116 |
| 2016 | Girls | 18 | #6,663 |
| 2016 | Boys | 3,604 | #110 |
| 2015 | Girls | 15 | #7,613 |
| 2015 | Boys | 3,499 | #115 |
| 2014 | Girls | 9 | #10,955 |
| 2014 | Boys | 3,426 | #116 |
When Was Cole Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2002 · Boys
6,038 recorded births
National rank #69
2000 · Boys
5,926 recorded births
National rank #71
2003 · Boys
5,898 recorded births
National rank #69
2001 · Boys
5,739 recorded births
National rank #74
Where Cole Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| NH | #66 | 22 |
| MA | #67 | 95 |
| RI | #71 | 14 |
| CT | #90 | 39 |
| NJ | #104 | 93 |
| PA | #105 | 121 |
| MI | #108 | 88 |
| NY | #111 | 161 |