boys' name · peaked 1997

Coleman

A surname originating as a patronymic derived from the given name Colman.

Every Coleman since 1880 — 17,628 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.060.130.190.2518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#1,311
among boys
Babies in 2025
148
named Coleman
Peak year
1997
420 babies
All-time total
17,628
since 1880

The story of Coleman

Coleman is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,311 in 2025 with 148 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 17,628 American babies have been named Coleman. Its peak came in 1997, when 420 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.

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 Coleman stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Coleman 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 148 #1,311
2024 154 #1,277
2023 176 #1,170
2022 178 #1,158
2021 175 #1,149
2020 203 #1,022
2019 182 #1,095
2018 208 #995
2017 246 #873
2016 212 #971
2015 251 #884
2014 5 #17,146 223 #948
2013 252 #845
2012 256 #841
2011 7 #13,680 221 #913
2010 273 #795
2009 276 #806
2008 307 #742
2007 350 #680
2006 347 #661
2005 363 #616
2004 331 #637
2003 368 #589
2002 399 #554
2001 369 #563
2000 388 #544
1995 340 #552
1990 166 #786
1985 140 #753
1980 76 #1,039
1975 57 #1,114
1970 52 #1,142
1965 54 #1,003
1960 64 #945
1955 70 #886
1950 89 #727
1945 72 #719
1940 88 #636
1935 73 #710
1930 108 #576
1925 126 #547
1920 112 #591
1915 116 #518
1910 40 #433
1905 21 #494
1900 26 #449
1895 12 #612
1890 15 #494
1885 17 #444
1880 12 #538

Famous people named Coleman

  1. Coleman Hawkins Musician · 1904–1969

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Coleman mean?

A surname originating as a patronymic derived from the given name Colman.

How popular is the name Coleman in 2025?

Coleman ranked #1,311 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 148 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Coleman?

17,628 babies have been named Coleman in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Coleman most popular?

Coleman peaked in 1997, when 420 newborns received the name.

Is Coleman a boy or girl name?

Coleman is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Coleman rising or falling?

Coleman is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Coleman?

Well-known people named Coleman include Coleman Hawkins (musician).

Names like Coleman

Compare Coleman with similar names →