Alex vs Cole

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Alex

Boy #205 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"defender of men"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English Greek Spanish Russian French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#205
Total SSA Count
1,722
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Alex →

Cole

Boy #162 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"coal, swarthy"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#162
Total SSA Count
2,219
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Cole →

Popularity Comparison

Alex Rank #205
Cole Rank #162

Cole is more popular, ranked #162 vs #205 for Alex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alex or Cole more popular?

Cole is more popular, ranked #162 compared to Alex at #205 in the United States.

What do Alex and Cole mean?

Alex means "defender of men" (Greek origin). Cole means "coal, swarthy" (Old English origin).

Are Alex and Cole boy or girl names?

Alex is primarily a boy name. Cole is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Alex ← Full profile: Cole Browse all baby names