Origin, Meaning, And History Of Cole
The name Cole has various possible origins. It may have come from the Old English surname ‘Cola,’ which meant ‘coal’ and was used to describe ‘dark-skinned’ or ‘coal-haired’ individuals. Over time, it has become a common given name.
According to its Greek roots, the name could have been derived from Nicholas, which translates to ‘victorious people’ or ‘victory of the people.’ Old Norse nicknames like ‘Kolr’ and ‘Koli’ also carry similar meanings. ‘Kollr’ meant ‘the bald one.’ Additionally, the French variant of the name is a shortened form of ‘Nicolas.’
English history records that the Cole surname originated in Cornwall, with ‘coll,’ meaning ‘hill.’ Alternatively, it could have been derived from the nickname ‘Cole’ of a Nicholas’ son.
The name Cole gained popularity in the 13th century through Middle English and Old French names Col(e), Coll(e), or Coul(e), which is a diminutive form of Nicol. There are also some cases where the French surname Charbonneau has been translated to Cole. The German name Kohl, which means cabbage or a farmer could also be a source of the name Cole. It is also used to describe vegetables belonging to the Brassica family as they are called cole crops. Another less likely theory is that the Irish name McCool was shortened to Cole.
The name Cole is popular in the film industry. Matthew McConaughey played Rust Cohle in HBO’s anthology TV series ‘True Detective,’ earning a Critic’s Choice Television Award and nominations for a Golden Globe Award, Primetime Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. The protagonist of the movie ‘Days of Thunder,’ Cole Trickle, is a young driver who aspires to succeed in NASCAR and is named after veteran racer Dick Trickle. The movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Sound. The British soap opera ‘Coronation Street’ has a character named Norris Cole, and Canadian TV series ‘The Kids in the Hall’ features Buddy Cole in the cast.
Cole
Boy
Christianity, Greek
English, United States
8
Two
1 word, 4 letters, 2 vowels, 2 consonants
Short and easy to pronounce
How To Pronounce Cole?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Cole in English.
Famous People With The Name Cole
- Cole SprouseItalian-born American actor, known for his roles in the Disney show Suite Life of Zack and Cody and played Jughead in ‘Riverdale’
- Cole Bryson TuckerAmerican professional baseball player, played for the US national baseball team in 2013
- Colden Rainey SwindellAmerican country music singer and songwriter, eight of his released singles have reached number one on Hot Country Songs and/or Country Airplay charts
- Cole Michael BennettAmerican music video director and videographer, owner of multimedia company, Lyrical Lemonade
- Cole Matthew CusterAmerican professional stock car racing driver, youngest NASCAR Truck Series winner in 2014
- J ColeAmerican rapper, won a Grammy for Best Rap Song
- W. Cole Durham Jr.American educator granted the International First Freedom Award by the First Freedom Center
- Nat King ColeAmerican jazz legend, winner of Grammy Award and inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Cole On The Popularity Chart
According to US Social Security Administration graphs, the name saw a considerable surge in the late 20th century but gradually came down. Check the graphs below for a better understanding of the name’s popularity.
Popularity Over Time
The name Cole started gaining popularity in 1991 and peaked in 2002, with 6037 babies per million sharing the name. However, the following years saw a decline in the usage of the name.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
According to the graphs, the name held its highest ranking in 1983 at 12,279. However, the name’s ranking has gradually experienced a decline.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Cole
Popular Sibling Names For Cole
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Cole, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Cole
Find matching brother names for Cole and create a wonderful team of siblings.
CaelicCaelin Caelius Cailae Caillou Calahan Calbert Calbex Calder Caldre Girl Sibling Names For Cole
Looking for some suitable sister names for Cole? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
CaeliCaelyn Cailla Caillin Cailynn Caldwiella Caleah Calico California Calita Other Popular Names Beginning With C
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter C to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Cole
Infographic: Know The Name Cole‘s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name Cole In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
cole
In Sign Language
cole
In Braille Alphabet
cole
In Morse Code
cole
Name Numerology For Cole
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Cole?
The name Cole means ‘victory of the people’ or ‘coal-haired one.’
2. What is the origin of the name Cole?
Cole has Old English and Greek origins.
3. How to pronounce the name Cole?
Cole is pronounced as cohle.
4. What middle name goes with Cole?
Cole means ‘dark’ or ‘black.’ If you want a similar name, you can choose Duff, meaning ‘dark,’ Jett, corresponding to an intense black color, or Emery, connected to a hard black substance. Further, names like Raven and Bran are associated with dark colors. Alternatively, Cole is associated with Nicholas, which means ‘victory.’ Thus, similar-meaning names like Victor and Kai could also complement Cole’s connotations.
5. Is Cole a popular name choice for babies currently?
Cole has consistently shown an increasing trend in terms of popularity in the US charts. In 2022, it earned 143rd rank, with 2,611 babies sharing the name (1).
References:
- Popularity of name Cole.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
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