Declining since 1998, #1,310 for boys today.
Popularity of Coleman since 1880
Babies named Coleman per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1997, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Coleman's real moment was 1903.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 147 |
| 1890s | 169 |
| 1900s | 237 |
| 1910s | 931 |
| 1920s | 1,196 |
| 1930s | 897 |
| 1940s | 901 |
| 1950s | 817 |
| 1960s | 586 |
| 1970s | 533 |
| 1980s | 1,277 |
| 1990s | 3,052 |
| 2000s | 3,498 |
| 2010s | 2,324 |
| 2020s | 1,034 |
Meaning & origin
Coleman is a name with deep Irish and English roots, long used as a surname before transitioning to a given name. Its peak popularity came in 1903, ranking as a top 300 name at the time. In 2023, it ranked #1310, with about 1 in 11,541 baby boys receiving the name. The name has been on a declining trajectory since 1998, though it retains a classic feel. It is most common in South Carolina, Kentucky, and Alabama, reflecting its stronghold in the American South. Coleman offers a solid, traditional option with friendly nicknames like Cole, appealing to parents who appreciate heritage without trendiness.
Coleman is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Colmáin, meaning 'descendant of Colmán.' The personal name Colmán is a diminutive of colm, 'dove,' thus 'little dove.' It was also adopted as an English surname from the Old English cola 'coal' and mann' meaning 'dark-complexioned man.' The Irish origin is more prominent in modern usage.
Where Coleman 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cole, Coly
Variants: Colman, Colmán
Sibling names for Coleman
Names that share Coleman's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Coleman
Names whose popularity has moved with Coleman's over the last 50 years.
