Colson Boy

Popularity: #295 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOL-sun //ˈkoʊlsən//

Origin: English; French

Meaning: English: son of Nicholas; French: from the coal town

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Colson has its roots in the Old English and Old Norse languages. It is derived from the surname Colson, which itself originates from the medieval personal name "Cola," a diminutive of the Old Norse name "Koli," meaning "swarthy" or "dark." The suffix "-son" indicates lineage, translating to "son of Cola." This construction is typical in English surnames, particularly those of Scandinavian origin, reflecting the historical influence of Norse settlers in England during the Viking Age, around the 8th to 11th centuries.

As a surname, Colson began to appear in England in the 13th century, gradually transitioning into use as a given name by the 19th century. Historically, the name Colson has been associated with various notable figures, particularly in England.

One significant milestone is its appearance in the records of the 14th century, where individuals bearing the surname Colson were documented in various legal and ecclesiastical records. The name also appears in the context of English nobility and landowners, contributing to its recognition in historical texts.

Additionally, the name may have been influenced by the popularity of similar names during the medieval period, which often reflected familial ties or occupations. Culturally, the name Colson carries connotations of strength and resilience, possibly linked to its etymological roots in the meaning of "dark" or "swarthy," which can symbolize depth and richness.

The name has also been associated with various literary and artistic works throughout history, although specific references may vary. The diminutive form "Cole" has been historically relevant, often used as a nickname or affectionate variant, further embedding the name within familial and cultural traditions.

Overall, Colson reflects a blend of linguistic heritage and historical significance, contributing to its enduring presence in English-speaking cultures.

Famous people named Colson

In this section, you will find notable people named Colson. 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 Colson who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Colson 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.

Colson Whitehead is an author best known for The Underground Railroad, The Nickel Boys, and Zone One.

Colson Baker, known professionally as Machine Gun Kelly, is a musician and actor best known for his albums Tickets to My Downfall, Hotel Diablo, and his role in the film Midnight in the Switchgrass.

Sibling suggestions

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

ColtonCohenCadenCooperCarter

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Colson. 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.

ColbyColeCullenColinCoryCodyCollinCruz

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Colson was first seen in the United States in 1924.

Colson has ranked as high as #606 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and North Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Colson has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Colson 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 Colson 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 Colson.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 1,099 1,099
2024 949 949
2023 950 950
2022 1,059 1,059
2021 1,025 1,025
2020 902 902
2019 657 657
2018 409 409
2017 323 323
2016 188 188
2015 173 173
2014 145 145
2013 153 153
2012 145 145
2011 178 178
2010 151 151
2009 122 122
2008 131 131
2007 132 132
2006 95 95
2005 88 88
2004 97 97
2003 76 76
2002 61 61
2001 96 96
2000 53 53
1999 47 47
1998 42 42
1997 35 35
1996 27 27
1995 10 10
1994 19 19
1993 20 20
1992 13 13
1991 10 10
1990 10 10
1989 12 12
1988 6 6
1987 6 6
1985 5 5
1935 5 5
1924 5 5

Top States for Colson (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 69
7%
OH 68
7%
PA 60
7%
IN 48
5%
NC 44
5%
FL 42
5%
KY 39
4%
MO 39
4%
TN 35
4%
MI 35
4%
IL 34
4%
WV 27
3%
VA 27
3%
CA 26
3%
GA 23
2%
NY 22
2%
SC 19
2%
MS 18
2%
WI 17
2%
AL 17
2%
OK 16
2%
WA 16
2%
IA 15
2%
NJ 14
2%
LA 13
1%
MD 13
1%
AR 13
1%
CO 13
1%
AZ 12
1%
OR 11
1%
MN 9
1%
MA 8
1%
ND 8
1%
ID 8
1%
NE 8
1%
KS 8
1%
CT 7
1%
MT 7
1%
ME 7
1%
UT 7
1%