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Cole

Boy name · 2,436 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Cole: 2,436 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 164 births in 2010.

The name Cole began as an English surname, rooted in the Old English *col* meaning "coal" or "dark," and was often a nickname for someone with a swarthy complexion. It also developed as a short form of Nicholas, from the Greek *nikē* (victory) and *laos* (people). Famed bearers include the American songwriter Cole Porter, whose sophisticated jazz standards like "I Get a Kick Out of You" remain timeless, and actor Cole Sprouse, known for his roles in *Riverdale* and *The Suite Life of Zack & Cody*. The name shares its root with places like Coleford in England and Colebrook in Scotland, both referencing a dark stream or coal-bearing land. Though not traditionally Scottish, Cole has grown steadily in popularity across the UK since the 1990s, valued for its crisp, one-syllable charm.