Cole vs William

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Cole

Boy #162 Most Popular 1 Syllable

"coal, swarthy"

Origin: Old English

English American Australian

✓ All Clear

Boy #10 Most Popular 3 Syllables

"resolute protector, strong-willed guardian"

Origin: Germanic

English German French

✓ All Clear

Cole Rank #162

William Rank #10

William is more popular, ranked #10 vs #162 for Cole.

Is Cole or William more popular?

William is more popular, ranked #10 compared to Cole at #162 in the United States.

What do Cole and William mean?

Cole means "coal, swarthy" (Old English origin). William means "resolute protector, strong-willed guardian" (Germanic origin).

Are Cole and William boy or girl names?

Cole is primarily a boy name. William is primarily a boy name.