Cole is a name of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "col", which means "charcoal". It was often used as a nickname for someone who had dark hair or complexion, similar to that of charcoal. The name has also been associated with the Old Norse personal name "Kóli", which was given to children born around Christmas time.
The name Cole first appeared in England during the Middle Ages and was initially more common among the lower classes than the nobility. However, over time it became increasingly popular and is now considered a unisex name that can be used for both boys and girls.
Some notable figures who have borne the name Cole include American singer and songwriter Cole Porter, British actor and comedian Cole Sprouse, and Australian cricketer Cole McDonald. Despite its English origins, the name has also gained popularity in other countries around the world, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In popular culture, the name Cole is often associated with characters from movies, books, and television shows. For example, there is a character named Cole in the video game "The Last of Us" and another Cole in the movie "Interstellar".
The name Cole has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past century in the United States, as indicated by the statistics provided.
From 1886 to 1927, there were relatively few births with the name Cole, ranging from 6 to 21 per year. However, starting in 1928, we begin to see a steady increase in popularity. In 1947, there were 34 births with the name Cole, and this number continued to rise over the next few decades.
The 1950s saw a significant increase in popularity for the name Cole, with 64 births in 1954, 72 in 1955, and 73 in 1957. This trend continued into the 1960s, with a peak of 98 births in 1961.
The 1970s marked a turning point for the name Cole, with a sharp increase in popularity. In 1972, there were 139 births, and this number continued to rise throughout the decade, reaching 272 births in 1980.
The 1980s saw an even more dramatic increase in popularity for the name Cole. There were over 800 births with the name Cole in 1982, and this number continued to rise throughout the decade, reaching over 1,000 births per year by 1985.
The 1990s saw a further increase in popularity for the name Cole. In 1991, there were 1,979 births with the name Cole, and this number continued to rise throughout the decade, reaching over 3,000 births per year by 1996.
The 2000s saw a peak in popularity for the name Cole. In 2002, there were 6,037 births with the name Cole, and this number remained above 5,000 births per year until 2008.
However, since then, we have seen a decline in popularity for the name Cole. In 2019, there were 2,359 births with the name Cole, and this number continued to decline throughout the following years, reaching 2,623 births in 2022.
Overall, the name Cole has seen significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century in the United States. While it was relatively uncommon in the early part of the 20th century, it saw a steady increase in popularity throughout the mid-20th century and peaked in popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, since then, we have seen a decline in popularity for the name Cole.