Rising since 1997, #1,932 for boys today.
Popularity of Colston since 1994
Babies named Colston per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 41 |
| 2000s | 179 |
| 2010s | 702 |
| 2020s | 325 |
Meaning & origin
Colston is a surname-style given name that entered the U.S. charts in 1994, a relatively recent addition to the American naming pool. Its peak year was 2010, after which it saw a decline before rising again steadily since 1997. The name has a modest but consistent presence, with a 2025 rank of 1932, where approximately 1 in 21,351 boys received the name. It is most common in states like Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois, which tend to favor traditional English surnames. As a modern coinage from an English surname, Colston fits a pattern of adopting family names as first names, a trend that has grown increasingly popular since the late 20th century.
Colston is a transferred surname of English origin. It likely derives from a place name, such as Colston in Nottinghamshire or Colston Bassett, which combine the Old English personal name Cola (meaning 'coal' or 'dark') with tun ('enclosure' or 'settlement'). Alternatively, it may be a variant of Coulston. The name has been used as a given name since the late 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Where Colston is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cole, Colt
Sibling names for Colston
Names that share Colston's style, for a brother or sister.
