Coal

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOHL /ˈkoʊl/High

Meaning: The English word 'coal' used as a name, and also a respelling of Cole (from the Middle English for 'charcoal; coal-black; swarthy'). A short, elemental word-name.Low

In 30 seconds: A short, elemental word-name: Coal is the English word and a spin on Cole (said 'KOHL').

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowEnglish

MeaningThe English word 'coal' used as a name, and also a respelling of Cole (from the Middle English for 'charcoal; coal-black; swarthy'). A short, elemental word-name.

U.S. rank (2022)#11128 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 169

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Coal is the English word turned name, doubling as a spelling of Cole (Middle English col, 'charcoal; coal-black'). It reads elemental and modern — rare in the U.S., riding the word-name trend (said 'KOHL').

It appears only rarely as a first name in the U.S. Extremely rare, elemental, and short.

Did you know? Coal reads both as the English word and as a respelling of Cole ('charcoal; swarthy') — an earthy, one-beat nature name (said 'KOHL').

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Coal — English word 'coal'; respelling of Cole

Variations

ColeKohlKole

Nicknames

CocoCy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Coal…

Cole— the name it respells

Flint— a like elemental word-name

Ash— a like short nature word-name

Stone— a like earthy word-name

Explore names like Coal

By themeenglish word-name short nature

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Coal mean?

Coal is the English word 'coal' used as a name, and a respelling of Cole ('charcoal; swarthy').

How do you pronounce Coal?

It's said KOHL /ˈkoʊl/ — one syllable.

Is Coal a boy or girl name?

Coal is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Coal?

Coal is an extremely rare name in the U.S.