Declining since 2001, #182 for boys today.
Popularity of Cole since 1886
Babies named Cole per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 16 |
| 1910s | 190 |
| 1920s | 156 |
| 1930s | 127 |
| 1940s | 224 |
| 1950s | 562 |
| 1960s | 703 |
| 1970s | 1,444 |
| 1980s | 8,722 |
| 1990s | 33,868 |
| 2000s | 56,846 |
| 2010s | 36,401 |
| 2020s | 14,823 |
Meaning & origin
Cole has a straightforward, strong sound that has appealed to American parents for generations. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1886 and has been in consistent use since. Its peak in popularity came in 2002, after which it has gradually declined. In 2025, it ranked 182nd, with a frequency of 1 in 853 boys. The name is most commonly given in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Cole's versatility stems from its dual origins: as a short form of Nicholas and as an English surname. Its simplicity and clear pronunciation have helped it stay familiar without ever feeling dated. Parents often pair it with other short, classic names for siblings.
Cole is a shortened form of Nicholas, from the Greek Nikolaos, meaning 'victory of the people.' It has been used as an independent given name since the Middle Ages, also deriving from the Old English nickname Cola, meaning 'dark' or 'coal-black.' The name gained popularity in the United States in the late 20th century.
Where Cole is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Cole” around the world
Where Cole lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
26
babies in 2025
New Zealand
26
babies in 2025
Quebec
25
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Cole
Sibling names for Cole
Names that share Cole's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Grace, Emma, Chloe, Ella, Lily, Brooke, Danna, Erica, Hailey, Jade, Lexi, Paige, Quinn, Rae, Alayna, Blair, Brea, Brie, Brook, Bryn, Emeri, Hallie, Jacey, Jaide, Joslyn, Justice, Kaleigh, Kali, Laine, Lainie, Landry, Mccall, Page, Raven, Rayn, Rayne, Rubi, Rya, Sky, Sloane, Sol, Storm, Stormy, Tyla, Blakelee, Brynna, Codie, December, Drue, Halee, Jaeda, January, Journie, Kambria, Kassidi, Kaydance, Kelis, Kinzie, Kirra, Laynie, Linley, Mackenzi, Raye, Rayla, Skyy, Tanna, Tesa, Tuesday, Alixandria, Ame, Avaleigh, Bay, Breah, Brinn, Brookie, Caelin, Cala, Camia, Carah, Ceirra, Chyla, Colletta, Daila, Drena, Ginna, Grier, Icy, Jahna, Jerzi, Kadi, Keelyn, Klee, Koral, Lareen, Leea, Leeza, Maebry, Marche, Marne, Micole, Noell, Rainy, Raney, Renn, Rylah, Rynn, Saleen, Season, See, Sha, Shy, Shyra, Skarlet, Tanea, Taura, Tira, Ader, Aireal, Anslie, Bre, Bri, Bryah, Caidance, Cambryn, Cay, Chae, Chara, Darly, Der, Desa, Devanny, Elynn, Emberley, Jadie, Jasslyn, Kaylla, Kerah, Kesi, Kyanne, Lace, Ly, Maley, Mckell, Monee, Mychaela, Rainee, Reyne, Rhyanna, Ryn, Saje, Savvy, Sayre, Scottlynn, Shelsea, Skie, Sway, Tarrah, Tenlee, Trysta, Tya, Tyia, Videl, Jaely, Jaid, Ahja, Beckley, Briea, Caci, Cadey, Calah, Caly, Cambre, Chevi, Chey, Cyndel, Dawt, Day, Demri, Denai, Donda, Haila, Harbour, Ileigh, Jacole, Joci, Jolyne, Jyra, Kahlie, Kambrey, Kamy, Kelsa, Kenni, Khaya, Klyn, Knoelle, Knyla, Kwynn, Kyndahl, Lynze, Mane, Morning, Quenna, Raivyn, Rease, Reata, Rechy, Reilyn, Royelle, Sashay, Schae, Shuree, Shyah, Ski, Snoh, Taeja, Taela, Tayelor, Tayia, Teale, Wrynn
Brothers: Jack, Luke, Dylan, Ryan, Ethan, Boyd, Bryce, Cade, Chase, Drew, Gage, Grant, Hunter, Knox, Axle, Barron, Beckett, Bishop, Blaze, Boston, Britton, Brock, Brown, Cael, Cale, Callan, Case, Chace, Chaz, Cliff, Cort, Cyle, Dane, Davis, Dawson, Drake, Dyson, Flint, Gray, Grey, Hayes, Jett, Kace, Kade, Kale, Kane, Karsen, Kye, Layne, Lex, Mack, Penn, Raylan, Reed, Tre, Tripp, Tru, Tye, Wes, Aston, Blayne, Broc, Cache, Canon, Chan, Chayce, Chayse, Chazz, Cross, Dash, Denim, Dru, Dutch, Hart, Holt, Kael, Kal, Kam, Kanyon, Kiel, Kobie, Kohl, Kolt, Nile, Payne, Pearce, Race, Radley, Rayce, Rush, Ryne, Shaw, Slade, Steele, Thayer, Tiger, Torre, Trae, Westen, Ason, Blu, Bray, Brek, Briton, Caige, Canton, Cayman, Cobe, Cobie, Corde, Danner, Drey, Gates, Hays, Hayze, Heith, Jedd, Kaige, Kail, Kier, Knight, Kree, Kyair, Lain, Lantz, Lean, Nakai, Nyles, Pacey, Quaid, Quinnton, Quint, Reeve, Reeves, Reyan, Ripp, Ry, Rydell, Ryett, Shant, Shone, Slate, Tabor, Tait, Tosh, Tri, Trigg, Whitt, Yates, Yeng, Bain, Blain, Brazen, Brick, Cabe, Cabot, Carden, Cayne, Chaise, Crystian, Dae, Deke, Dez, Fields, Garrette, Grantham, Graylon, Hall, Hunt, Hyde, Jayke, Jaz, Jhett, Kaide, Kasten, Kayd, Kayn, Keen, Keil, Kel, Kelden, Kin, Kline, Klyde, Klye, Laker, Law, Layke, Leyland, Mak, Marqui, Mase, Miner, Mj, Nole, Ohm, Pruitt, Raife, Rece, Rhone, Roc, Roth, Saw, Taite, Tan, Tay, Trai, Traver, Tuck, Vin, Win, Caid, Coal, Kache, Kreig, Tag, Tryce, Bash, Boen, Breyer, Bridge, Brok, Bronsen, Broox, Cable, Cace, Cadel, Caide, Cashe, Cha, Chasin, Chaunce, Chez, Cohl, Cope, Cote, Cray, Crewe, Croy, Dahl, Dejay, Drae, Flynt, Graves, Guage, Guinn, Hawthorn, Ison, Jaze, Jes, Joal, Jrake, Jumar, Kable, Khale, Khyle, Kroi, Lamere, Layn, Leelynd, Mann, Mory, Nore, Nyel, Pax, Rally, Redd, Reice, Rett, Rhet, Rjay, Rydge, Rykar, Schon, Seger, Stran, Tejay, Tjay, Trask, Trek, Treu, Valin, Vonn, Wiatt, Wise, Witt, Zoren
Names like Cole
Names whose popularity has moved with Cole's over the last 50 years.
