Cole

♀ Girl

Pronounced KOHL /ˈkoʊl/High

Meaning: A short form of Nicholas ('victory of the people') and an English surname tied to 'coal; swarthy; charcoal-dark.' Overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp one-beat name: Cole shortens Nicholas, and means 'coal-dark' by surname route (said 'KOHL'). Usually a boy's name, we note.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumEnglish, Greek

MeaningA short form of Nicholas ('victory of the people') and an English surname tied to 'coal; swarthy; charcoal-dark.' Overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#15739 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2006

Total births (all-time)≈ 546

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

Cole is a short form of Nicholas and a 'coal-dark' surname. It is overwhelmingly a boy's name; used here for a girl, which we note - rare for girls in the U.S. (said 'KOHL').

It is rare for girls in the U.S., and far more often a boy's name.

Did you know? Cole is a short form of Nicholas ('victory of the people') and a surname tied to 'coal; swarthy' - a crisp, strong name that is overwhelmingly a boy's name, used here for a girl, which we note (said 'KOHL').

Overall data confidence 44%

References - Cole — short for Nicholas / 'coal-dark' surname; usually a boy's name

Variations

KohlColeyColeen

Nicknames

CocoLee

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cole…

Nicole— a like Nichol-based name

Brooke— a like crisp one-beat name

Reese— a like unisex one-beat name

Dayle— shares Cole's English roots

Gayle— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Cole

By themeenglish short cross-sex unisex-lean-boy

By meaningVictory

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cole mean?

Cole is a short form of Nicholas and a 'coal; swarthy' surname; it is overwhelmingly a boy's name.

How do you pronounce Cole?

It's said KOHL /ˈkoʊl/ - one syllable, stress on the first.

Is Cole a boy or girl name?

Here Cole is used as a girl's name; note it is overwhelmingly a boy's name.

How popular is Cole?

Cole is rare for girls in the U.S., and far more often a boy's name.