Cole

Meaning: coal-black; or from Nicholas · Origin: English · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

An English surname from a byname for a dark-haired person or a short form of Nicholas. Cole Porter wrote 'Anything Goes'.

Famous people named Cole

Cole Porter (composer)
Cole Palmer (footballer)

Nicknames

Coley

Variants & related names

Kole, Colby

Cole name art

A free preview of a printable “Cole” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Cole mean?

Cole means “coal-black; or from Nicholas”. It comes from English.

Is Cole a popular name?

Yes — Cole has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Cole?

Coley.

What are other forms of Cole?

Kole, Colby.

Similar names

Jackson · Mason · Wyatt · Carter · Grayson · Lincoln

More: names starting with C · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.