Coast

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOHST /koʊst/High

Meaning: From Old French coste and Latin costa meaning rib, side, or edge; used as a given name evoking the boundary where land meets the oceanHigh

In 30 seconds: Coast is a modern nature-inspired English given name evoking the shoreline where land meets sea, drawn from Latin costa meaning rib or side and adopted as a bold one-syllable choice.

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Origin HighEnglish

MeaningFrom Old French coste and Latin costa meaning rib, side, or edge; used as a given name evoking the boundary where land meets the ocean

U.S. rank (2025)#875 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births274 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 764

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Coast as a given name belongs to the contemporary wave of nature-word names that gained momentum in the early 2000s alongside names like River, Lake, and Stone. The word itself descends from Old French coste, which in turn came from Latin costa meaning rib, side, or flank — a reference to the side of a landmass. English speakers shifted the meaning to describe the littoral zone where land meets sea. As a name it carries connotations of freedom, openness, and the liminal space between worlds, appealing to parents seeking geographic names with a breezy, confident sound.

The name Coast shares the same bold, monosyllabic energy as Stone, Reed, and Flint, all of which have seen upticks among parents drawn to nature vocabulary. Its coastal geography associations link it to places of vacation, beauty, and ease. While still rare, Coast has been documented in U.S. birth records since the 2010s and appeals particularly to families with ties to beach communities in California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Gulf Coast.

Did you know? The word coast entered English via Old French from Latin costa, the same root that gives Spanish its word for rib — costilla — and also the country name Costa Rica, meaning rich coast.

Overall data confidence 82%

Oxford English Dictionary — coast — etymology from Latin costaBehind the Name — Nature Names — context for nature-word names

Variations

Koast

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Coast…

River— one-syllable or short nature-word name with the same breezy outdoor feel

Stone— monosyllabic English nature vocabulary name with a strong, confident sound

Reef— ocean-themed short nature name with a similar coastal vibe

Wade— short water-adjacent name with the same casual masculine energy

Frequently Asked

What does the name Coast mean?

Coast comes from Latin costa meaning rib or side and is used as a name evoking the shoreline where land meets the sea.

How do you pronounce Coast?

It is said KOHST — one syllable, rhyming with most.

Is Coast a boy or girl name?

Coast is used primarily as a boys name.

Is Coast a real name?

Yes, Coast appears in U.S. birth records as part of the modern trend of using nature vocabulary words as given names.