Cole
How to say it: KOHL · /ˈkoʊl/
Swarthy or coal-black; from an Old English surname referring to a dark complexion or charcoal.
Cole was the 181st most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 2,003 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 2000s, its births are down about 43% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #251 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #181 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 2,003 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,532 |
| Peak decade | 2000s |
| Change over 10 years | −43% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #251 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,664 among boys’ names, 10 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After a high in the 2000s, Cole remains in solid use. Now well below its peak, a gentle slip looks likely.
What goes with it
Short and crisp with a strong edge, Cole feels sturdy. Reid shares its spare style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Cole is about 1 in 64.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #1,664 for boys in 2025.
England and Wales: #179. Ireland: #185.
Famous people named Cole
- Cole Palmer (born 2002)English footballer
- Cole Sprouse (born 1992)American actor
- Cole Porter (1891–1964)American composer and songwriter
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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