Declining since 2002, #8,910 for boys today.
Popularity of Colman since 1909
Babies named Colman per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2002, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Colman's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 8 |
| 1910s | 99 |
| 1920s | 132 |
| 1930s | 114 |
| 1940s | 74 |
| 1950s | 36 |
| 1960s | 39 |
| 1970s | 15 |
| 1980s | 56 |
| 1990s | 143 |
| 2000s | 181 |
| 2010s | 103 |
| 2020s | 45 |
Meaning & origin
Colman is a name deeply rooted in Irish history, originally from the Old Irish word 'colm' meaning 'dove'. It was borne by numerous early Irish saints, including Saint Colmán of Cloyne and Saint Colmán of Lindisfarne. In the United States, Colman first appeared in records in 1909, when it reached its peak rank of 8,910th (the same as its 2025 rank, though 1909 had far fewer births). Since 2002, its usage has been declining slowly; in 2025, roughly 1 in 213,510 boys received the name. Top states for Colman include none with significant frequency, indicating it remains a rare choice. For parents seeking a traditional Irish name that is recognizable but not common, Colman offers a respectful nod to heritage without the popularity of modern favorites.
Colman is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Colmán, a diminutive of Colm, which itself derives from the Old Irish word 'colm' meaning 'dove'. The name was borne by numerous early Irish saints, most notably Saint Colmán of Cloyne (6th century) and Saint Colmán of Lindisfarne (7th century). It became popular in Ireland and among Irish emigrants, though it declined in use over the 20th century before a mild revival in recent decades.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cole, Colly
Sibling names for Colman
Names that share Colman's style, for a brother or sister.
