Coe is a unisex given name of English origin, derived from the surname which was an occupational name for a coal miner. It was popularized as a given name in the mid-20th century, particularly among families in Wales and England with coal mining backgrounds. Coe also has connections to Welsh place names like Coedana (meaning "woods near a river") and the River Coe in Scotland. The name is often associated with simplicity, strength, and earthiness due to its ties to industry and nature. Some notable individuals with the name Coe include American mathematician John Couch Adams (1819-1892), who predicted the existence of Neptune based on mathematical calculations, and Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe, known as "Thorpedo," who won five Olympic gold medals in freestyle swimming events.
The name Coe experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century, with peaks occurring most recently in 2021 and 2023.