Declining since 2010, #1,244 for boys today.
Popularity of Kole since 1969
Babies named Kole per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 51 |
| 1980s | 282 |
| 1990s | 1,477 |
| 2000s | 3,438 |
| 2010s | 3,219 |
| 2020s | 1,313 |
Meaning & origin
Kole is a modern respelling of Cole, which ultimately derives from Nicholas, a name of Greek origin meaning 'victory of the people'. First recorded in the United States in 1969, Kole saw its peak popularity in 2010, when it ranked substantially higher than its current position. As of 2025, the name ranks 1,244th, with approximately 1 in 10,675 boys receiving the name that year. Since 2010, its usage has been declining, mirroring a broader shift away from phonetic respellings in favor of more traditional forms. The states where Kole has been most common are Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri, suggesting a regional preference in the Midwest. While its trajectory has been downward, Kole remains a straightforward, accessible choice for parents seeking a variant of Cole that feels slightly more distinctive.
Kole is a variant of Cole, which is itself an English short form of Nicholas. Nicholas derives from the Greek name Nikolaos, composed of 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people), thus meaning 'victory of the people'. While Cole has been used as a given name in its own right since the Middle Ages, Kole is a modern respelling that gained traction in the late 20th century.
Where Kole 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
Sibling names for Kole
Names that share Kole's style, for a brother or sister.
