Coleman Boy

Popularity: #790 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOHL-muhn //ˈkoʊlmən//

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: Irish: 'descendant of the servant of St. Colman'; English: 'dove'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Coleman has its roots in the Old Irish name "Colm," which is derived from the Latin "Columba," meaning "dove." This etymological journey reflects a transition from Latin to early Irish, where the name was associated with peace and gentleness, as the dove is often a symbol of these qualities. The name was later adopted into English, particularly during the medieval period, as names were often anglicized to fit the linguistic patterns of the time.

The addition of the suffix "-an" is indicative of a diminutive form, suggesting a familial or affectionate connotation, which is common in Irish naming conventions. Historically, the name Coleman has been associated with several notable figures.

One of the most prominent is Saint Colman, a 7th-century Irish saint who is venerated in various Christian traditions. His legacy contributed to the name's spread across Ireland and into England, particularly during the early medieval period when saints' names were commonly adopted by the populace.

Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and records, including the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which documents the early history of England, further solidifying its presence in the English-speaking world. Culturally, the name Coleman carries connotations of nobility and virtue, often linked to the qualities of the dove as a symbol of peace.

This association has allowed the name to endure through centuries, as it resonates with themes of harmony and goodwill. The name has also been linked to various regional traditions and folklore, particularly in Ireland, where names derived from saints often carry significant cultural weight.

The diminutive form "Cole" has also emerged, providing a more informal variant that has been embraced in various contexts. Overall, Coleman reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance.

Famous people named Coleman

In this section, you will find notable people named Coleman. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Coleman who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Coleman who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Coleman Hawkins was a jazz saxophonist best known for Body and Soul, The Man I Love, and his work with the Jazz at the Philharmonic.

Coleman Francis was a filmmaker best known for The Beast of Yucca Flats, Night Train to Mundo Fine, and The Skydivers.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Coleman, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ColinCullenCallumCameronConnorCaden

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Coleman. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

ColinColmCullenCodyCorbinCameronCalebCarter

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Coleman was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Coleman has ranked as high as #1047 nationally, which occurred in 1997, and has been most popular in Texas, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Coleman has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Coleman is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Coleman was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Coleman.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 148 148 0
2024 154 154 0
2023 176 176 0
2022 178 178 0
2021 175 175 0
2020 203 203 0
2019 182 182 0
2018 208 208 0
2017 246 246 0
2016 212 212 0
2015 251 251 0
2014 228 223 5
2013 252 252 0
2012 256 256 0
2011 228 221 7
2010 273 273 0
2009 276 276 0
2008 307 307 0
2007 350 350 0
2006 347 347 0
2005 363 363 0
2004 331 331 0
2003 368 368 0
2002 399 399 0
2001 369 369 0
2000 388 388 0
1999 359 354 5
1998 391 391 0
1997 420 420 0
1996 345 345 0
1995 340 340 0
1994 303 303 0
1993 284 284 0
1992 254 254 0
1991 195 195 0
1990 166 166 0
1989 152 145 7
1988 137 137 0
1987 172 172 0
1986 150 150 0
1985 140 140 0
1984 120 120 0
1983 123 123 0
1982 123 123 0
1981 91 91 0
1980 76 76 0
1979 75 75 0
1978 61 61 0
1977 43 43 0
1976 48 48 0
1975 57 57 0
1974 59 59 0
1973 47 47 0
1972 47 47 0
1971 44 44 0
1970 52 52 0
1969 59 59 0
1968 67 67 0
1967 45 45 0
1966 45 45 0
1965 54 54 0
1964 53 53 0
1963 52 52 0
1962 75 75 0
1961 72 72 0
1960 64 64 0
1959 65 65 0
1958 75 75 0
1957 78 78 0
1956 98 98 0
1955 70 70 0
1954 87 87 0
1953 80 80 0
1952 82 82 0
1951 93 93 0
1950 89 89 0
1949 97 97 0
1948 102 102 0
1947 114 114 0
1946 94 94 0
1945 72 72 0
1944 85 85 0
1943 95 95 0
1942 68 68 0
1941 86 86 0
1940 88 88 0
1939 81 81 0
1938 90 90 0
1937 85 80 5
1936 93 93 0
1935 73 73 0
1934 116 116 0
1933 77 77 0
1932 92 92 0
1931 87 87 0
1930 108 108 0
1929 118 118 0
1928 108 108 0
1927 115 115 0
1926 130 130 0
1925 126 126 0
1924 107 107 0
1923 122 122 0
1922 112 112 0
1921 146 146 0
1920 112 112 0
1919 130 130 0
1918 133 133 0
1917 110 110 0
1916 120 120 0
1915 116 116 0
1914 102 102 0
1913 75 75 0
1912 69 69 0
1911 36 36 0
1910 40 40 0
1909 38 38 0
1908 21 21 0
1907 24 24 0
1906 15 15 0
1905 21 21 0
1904 28 28 0
1903 28 28 0
1902 17 17 0
1901 19 19 0
1900 26 26 0
1899 9 9 0
1898 19 19 0
1897 25 25 0
1896 18 18 0
1895 12 12 0
1894 14 14 0
1893 20 20 0
1892 21 21 0
1891 16 16 0
1890 15 15 0
1889 12 12 0
1888 17 17 0
1887 18 18 0
1886 11 11 0
1885 17 17 0
1884 14 14 0
1883 12 12 0
1882 18 18 0
1881 16 16 0
1880 12 12 0

Top States for Coleman (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 20
20%
NC 11
11%
AL 10
10%
SC 9
9%
GA 9
9%
CA 6
6%
UT 6
6%
PA 5
5%
AZ 5
5%
FL 5
5%
VA 5
5%
KY 5
5%
OK 5
5%