What Does the Name Cole Mean?
Cole is a boy's name of English origin meaning “swarthy, coal-black.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Cole |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | English |
| Meaning | swarthy, coal-black |
| Variants | Coleman, Colin, Kole, Nicholas |
| Popularity | A US Top 100 boys' name in the 1990s and 2000s; still in common use today. |
The meaning and origin of Cole
The name Cole means “swarthy, coal-black” and has English origins. Cole originated as an English surname derived from a medieval given name (a form of 'Nicholas') or from the Old English 'col' meaning 'coal,' referring to dark or swarthy coloring. It has been popular as a given name since the late 20th century.
Variants and related names
Cole is related to several other names you may recognize: Coleman, Colin, Kole, Nicholas. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Cole?
A US Top 100 boys' name in the 1990s and 2000s; still in common use today.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cole mean?+
The name Cole means “swarthy, coal-black” and is of English origin.
What is the origin of the name Cole?+
Cole originates from English.
Is Cole a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Cole has trended in the US over time.
Cole by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press