"victory of the people"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Kole
Pronunciation: [ k-OHL ]
Does Kole flow with your last name?
A sleek single-syllable name with ancient roots
American
English
Modern
Minimalist
Strong
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"charcoal, dark"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
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The Story of Kole
Kole is an alternate spelling of Cole, which originated as a medieval English short form of Nicholas. Nicholas comes from the Greek 'Nikolaos,' composed of 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people), meaning 'victory of the people.' Cole also developed independently as an Old English byname for someone with dark features, from the word 'col' meaning charcoal. The K-spelling variant emerged in modern American naming as parents sought to distinguish the name visually while keeping the familiar sound.
Cole surged in popularity in the 1990s and 2000s through characters in TV shows and the fame of actor Cole Sprouse and musician J. Cole. The K-spelling Kole offers parents a slightly more distinctive option.
Short, one-syllable names ending in a clear consonant have become increasingly fashionable for American boys, fitting a broader cultural preference for strong, simple names that project confidence.
Historical Record
Kole first appeared in US Social Security records in 1969.
Over 9,623 babies have been named Kole in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kole is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,201 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The traditional nursery rhyme 'Old King Cole' dates to at least 1708
- Nicholas/Cole variants are among the top 100 names in over 20 countries worldwide
Kole in Other Languages
French
Nicolas
German
Nikolaus
Italian
Nicola
Spanish
Nicolás
Popularity Over Time
#1,201
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kole
C
Cole Sprouse
Actor
1992
American actor known for The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Riverdale
J
Jermaine Lamarr Cole
Musician
1985
American rapper and producer known as J. Cole, one of hip-hop's most acclaimed artists
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,201
- Total SSA Count
- 170
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kole
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Kole is also used as a girl name, ranked #29456.
View Kole as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kole
What does the name Kole mean?
"victory of the people" (from Greek). "charcoal, dark" (from Old English). Kole is an alternate spelling of Cole, which originated as a medieval English short form of Nicholas. Nicholas comes from the Greek 'Nikolaos,' composed of 'nike' (victory) and 'laos' (people), meaning 'victory of the people.' Cole also developed independently as an Old English byname for someone with dark features, from the word 'col' meaning charcoal. The K-spelling variant emerged in modern American naming as parents sought to distinguish the name visually while keeping the familiar sound.
What is the origin of the name Kole?
Kole has Greek, Old English, American, and English origins. In Greek, it means "victory of the people". In Old English, it means "charcoal, dark".
Is Kole a boy or girl name?
Kole is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1201. As a girl name, it is ranked #29456. Kole is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Kole?
Kole is pronounced k-OHL.
How popular is the name Kole?
Kole is currently ranked #1201 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Kole?
Popular middle name pairings include Kole James, Kole Thomas, Kole Henry, Kole William, Kole Alexander, and Kole Robert.
What are good sibling names for Kole?
Names that pair well with Kole as siblings include Beau, Chase, Jace, Brielle, Avery, and Paige.
How many syllables does Kole have?
Kole has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kole a common or rare name?
Kole is an uncommon name, ranked #1201 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Kole?
About the Name Kole
Kole is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "victory of the people" in Greek .
Is Kole a boy or girl name? Kole is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,201 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #29,456. Kole is more commonly used as a boy name.
Kole is currently ranked #1,201 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Kole has 1 syllable and is pronounced k-OHL, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Kole include Kolton, Kolson, Kolter, Kolt, Kolsen . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis