Cole
Every Cole since 1886 — 154,646 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cole
Cole is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #182 in 2025 with 2,003 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1886, 154,646 American babies have been named Cole. Its peak came in 2002, when 6,054 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cole stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cole year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | #13,569 | 2,003 | #182 |
| 2024 | 6 | #13,850 | 2,224 | #162 |
| 2023 | 14 | #7,731 | 2,364 | #155 |
| 2022 | 8 | #11,430 | 2,626 | #144 |
| 2021 | 12 | #8,592 | 2,835 | #132 |
| 2020 | 10 | #9,717 | 2,771 | #133 |
| 2019 | 16 | #7,101 | 3,093 | #123 |
| 2018 | 13 | #8,250 | 3,348 | #118 |
| 2017 | 12 | #8,918 | 3,468 | #116 |
| 2016 | 18 | #6,718 | 3,604 | #110 |
| 2015 | 15 | #7,715 | 3,499 | #115 |
| 2014 | 9 | #11,189 | 3,426 | #116 |
| 2013 | 13 | #8,701 | 3,454 | #114 |
| 2012 | 12 | #9,233 | 3,779 | #102 |
| 2011 | 13 | #8,739 | 4,140 | #94 |
| 2010 | 5 | #17,605 | 4,590 | #90 |
| 2009 | 14 | #8,544 | 5,278 | #82 |
| 2008 | 19 | #6,863 | 5,389 | #85 |
| 2007 | 14 | #8,626 | 5,703 | #84 |
| 2006 | 32 | #4,485 | 5,640 | #84 |
| 2005 | 14 | #7,989 | 5,587 | #79 |
| 2004 | 23 | #5,411 | 5,648 | #75 |
| 2003 | 5 | #16,312 | 5,898 | #69 |
| 2002 | 16 | #6,777 | 6,038 | #69 |
| 2001 | 12 | #8,308 | 5,739 | #74 |
| 2000 | 18 | #5,997 | 5,926 | #71 |
| 1995 | 15 | #6,025 | 3,150 | #118 |
| 1990 | 11 | #7,414 | 1,100 | #248 |
| 1985 | — | — | 1,185 | #204 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9,316 | 271 | #516 |
| 1975 | — | — | 158 | #653 |
| 1970 | — | — | 99 | #812 |
| 1965 | — | — | 68 | #892 |
| 1960 | — | — | 72 | #892 |
| 1955 | — | — | 62 | #950 |
| 1950 | — | — | 28 | #1,369 |
| 1945 | — | — | 8 | #2,600 |
| 1940 | — | — | 10 | #2,354 |
| 1935 | — | — | 9 | #2,565 |
| 1930 | — | — | 11 | #2,473 |
| 1925 | — | — | 18 | #1,884 |
| 1920 | — | — | 10 | #2,806 |
| 1915 | — | — | 26 | #1,312 |
| 1910 | — | — | 6 | #1,456 |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | 6 | #1,194 |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Cole
- Cole Porter Composer · 1891–1964
- Cole Sprouse Actor · b. 1992
- Cole Hauser Actor · b. 1975
- Cole Hamels Religious figure · b. 1983
- Cole Aldrich Basketball player · b. 1988
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Cole in 2025?
Cole ranked #182 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 2,003 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cole?
154,646 babies have been named Cole in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cole most popular?
Cole peaked in 2002, when 6,054 newborns received the name.
Is Cole a boy or girl name?
Cole is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cole rising or falling?
Cole is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cole?
Well-known people named Cole include Cole Porter (composer), Cole Sprouse (actor), Cole Hauser (actor).