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Names Starting With C
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Coleman

Coleman is a boys' name of English origin meaning “charcoal burner, servant of Nicholas.”

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how do you pronounce Coleman?

KOHL-men

where does the name Coleman come from?

An English occupational name for a charcoal burner, and an anglicization of the Irish Colman.

Coleman has dual origins: from the Old English occupational name for a charcoal burner, and from the Irish Colman, a diminutive of Columba meaning 'dove.' Over 300 Irish saints bore the name Colman. In modern America, it carries a preppy, surname-as-first-name quality.

how popular is this name?

Coleman has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 124 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 15. It peaked at #360 in 1903, and ranked #995 in 2018.

1880higher on the chart = more popular · rank #1 to #1,0002018
See the milestone years
Coleman US popularity rank by year, selected milestones
YearRank
2018#995
2017#873
2016#971
2015#884
2014#947
2013#845
2012#841
2011#912
2010#793
2009#806
2000#544
1990#786
1960#944
1950#726
1940#635
1930#576
1920#590
1910#430
1903#360
1900#446
1890#489
1880#526

Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Coleman fell outside the top 1,000.

the history of Coleman

As a first name it is a transfer from the surname.

who are famous people named Coleman?

  • Coleman Hawkins (pioneering American jazz saxophonist)
  • Coleman Young (first African American mayor of Detroit)

what are the nicknames and variants of Coleman?

Nicknames

what names are similar to Coleman?

what names go well with Coleman?

Sibling names that share Coleman's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.

Style:Vintage Comeback

quick answers about Coleman

What does the name Coleman mean?

Coleman means “charcoal burner, servant of Nicholas”.

What is the origin of the name Coleman?

Coleman comes from the English naming tradition.

How popular is the name Coleman?

Coleman ranked #995 in the US in 2018, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1903, at #360, and it has spent 124 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.

Is Coleman a boy or girl name?

Coleman is primarily a boys' name.

How do you pronounce Coleman?

Coleman is pronounced KOHL-men, with 2 syllables.

Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial

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