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Home › Baby Names Directory › Koleman

Koleman

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOHL-mun /ˈkol.mən/Medium

Meaning: Koleman respells Coleman, which has two well-attested roots: Irish Colman, a diminutive of colm ('dove', from Latin columba), borne by many early Irish saints; and an English occupational surname for a charcoal burner or coal-man. Both feed the modern name.Low

In 30 seconds: A respelling of Coleman: Irish 'little dove', and an old English coal-worker's name (said 'KOHL-mun').
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Origin MediumIrish, English
MeaningKoleman respells Coleman, which has two well-attested roots: Irish Colman, a diminutive of colm ('dove', from Latin columba), borne by many early Irish saints; and an English occupational surname for a charcoal burner or coal-man. Both feed the modern name.
U.S. rank (2024)#13326 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1998
Total births (all-time)≈ 240

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199819972024

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

Koleman is a modern respelling of Coleman. The Irish route runs through Colman, 'little dove', a name carried by a remarkable number of early Irish saints; the English route is occupational, for a man who made or sold charcoal. Both meet in the modern surname-style first name, which the K- spelling freshens (said 'KOHL-mun').

This spelling appears only very rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, respelled, and Irish-rooted.

Did you know? Coleman carries a dove inside it — Irish colm, from Latin columba — and dozens of early Irish saints were named Colman; the same word also gave the English surname for a charcoal burner (said 'KOHL-mun').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Koleman — Respelling of Coleman; Irish Colman 'little dove' / English trade name

Variations

ColemanColmanKolman

Nicknames

KoleCole

Famous Bearers

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If you like Koleman…

Coleman— the standard spelling of the same name
Cole— the short form inside it
Colin— a like dove-linked Irish cousin
Declan— another warm Irish surname-style pick

Explore names like Koleman

By themeirishsurnamerespellingdocumented

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Koleman mean?

Koleman respells Coleman: Irish Colman, 'little dove', and an English occupational name for a charcoal burner.

How do you pronounce Koleman?

It's said KOHL-mun /ˈkol.mən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Koleman a boy or girl name?

Koleman is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Koleman?

Koleman is a very rare spelling for boys in the U.S., far behind Coleman.

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