Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

What do people think about Cole as a boys name?

76 replies

Danielle9891 · 14/12/2023 21:20

Hi everyone, I'm only 20 weeks pregnant but I found out we're having a boy at 12 weeks.
I really like the name Cole but my partner isn't too keen.

We live in Ireland and his family are all from here but I'm from north east, England so I need something we can't both pronounce.

Our daughter is called Erin with her middle name Rose.

What's people's thoughts on Cole as a name?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
Danielle9891 · 15/12/2023 01:08

I've wrote a list of some of the popular names of local children here. Unfortunately these are already names of people in my partners family so I don't want to use them.
Ronan
Cieran
Rory
Brian
Rian
Finlay
Fionn
Oisin
Sean
Conn
Curtis
Nail
Brendon
Ciabhán
Cillian
And a few others I've got no idea how to spell. There's quite a difference from the boy names I'm used to in England. In my family and close friends I've got a Callen, Hayden, James, George, noah, Kyle, harry, Stephen, Rhys, Jordan and Isaac.
I honestly can't think of any other names I like.

OP posts:
threecupsofteaminimum · 15/12/2023 08:11

No, pease no,
.

daisypond · 15/12/2023 09:00

Nicol and Caelan are both Scottish variations of Nicholas, not Irish, though. Any good?

Lydia777 · 15/12/2023 09:00

What about Aodh or Lar?

Enko · 15/12/2023 09:25

I like Cole as a name even if you changes your mind. I think ita great with Erin too.

Tate
Ian (Eóin)
Liam
Cormac
Leo
Barnaby

Sproutier · 15/12/2023 09:30

Maybe it's your partner's turn to come up with some ideas. It's easy to end up locked in a dynamic where one partner (usually a woman) is firing off list after list and the other (often a man) is locked in a cycle of saying nah, nah, nah to everything.

resm · 15/12/2023 10:42

Lorcan
Odhran
Cathal

Daisies12 · 15/12/2023 10:49

it's a surname surely

ArsenicInTheAppleTart · 15/12/2023 10:52

Cian
Fergal
Ferdia
Conor
Conal
Cillian

They’re all Irish names that should be easy for most people to pronounce.

But don’t accept people laughing at your pronunciation. If you’re from the NE England of course you’re going to say names differently to your neighbours and in-laws in Spiddal (or wherever it is you are).

And it’s fine to choose a name that has no Irish connections at all!

Roaminginthegloaming · 15/12/2023 10:56

Ha ha - I immediately thought of the 80s singer and band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions! I thought that Lloyd Cole was gorgeous! (Probably their biggest hit was ‘Perfect Skin’ and it will be on YouTube)

Come to think of it, I really like the name Lloyd 😊

Spaghettieis · 15/12/2023 10:58

DGHZ · 15/12/2023 00:23

I used to be absolutely obsessed with it and it would have been my boys name but unfortunately it’s been ruined by overhearing kids called it and often it’s very chavvy mums shouting it. I think Kate Ferdinand’s sons name ‘Cree’ has a similar vibe? Really like it or tonight someone on here has suggested ‘Cade’ which I’d also put in the same category

I’d steer well clear of using the names of indigenous peoples (Cree) as given names unless you’re a member of that tribe.

Gooseysgirl · 15/12/2023 11:02

LOL I know all about Irish family members having the same name... they end up being known by their profession or hometown etc carpenter Brian, Limerick Brian, young Brian, long Brian.

I love the name Ronan from your list!

Anabella321 · 15/12/2023 11:03

It isn't American. In the West of Ireland Cole and Coley are very common variants of the name Colmán (anglicised to Coleman) which means little dove. It's similar to Colm which means dove.

I loved Colm but my DH didn't like it.

grass67 · 15/12/2023 11:04

I think it's best to choose a name that can have variants, it gives a child choice.

Nicholas would be better, then could be Nick or Cole or Las.

Macaroni46 · 15/12/2023 11:38

Why name your child after a lump of rock?

GladioliandSweetPeas · 15/12/2023 12:04

I grew up with a little boy named Blane

daisypond · 15/12/2023 14:28

Macaroni46 · 15/12/2023 11:38

Why name your child after a lump of rock?

How do you work that out?

Silverbirch7 · 15/12/2023 14:29

Short for Colin..😜?

TomorrowsPrincess · 15/12/2023 15:07

I have a 13 year old Cole.
First heard the name from the movie Sixth Sense (it's the kid who sees dead people) 😂
Also the name of Tom Cruise's Character in Days of Thunder.
I love it and wanted it for years, it really suits him as he's a cool kid, and it's definitely a name that has grown with him from baby to teenager

Macaroni46 · 15/12/2023 15:28

@daisypond err cos it sounds like coal 🤷‍♀️

daisypond · 15/12/2023 15:34

Macaroni46 · 15/12/2023 15:28

@daisypond err cos it sounds like coal 🤷‍♀️

It has nothing to do with coal, and isn’t “named after a lump of rock.” There are names that are named after a lump of rock rock, eg Peter, Craig, Rocco, but Cole isn’t one of them.

Macaroni46 · 15/12/2023 16:26

@daisypond When I hear the name Cole, it sounds like coal 🤷‍♀️
It may have an entirely different meaning but it sounds the same!

frogswimming · 15/12/2023 16:37

Lovely. I'm in Dublin. I know lots of little boys called it.

frogswimming · 15/12/2023 16:38

Colm is very common in Dublin too, but more people in their 30s and 40s

WonderingWanda · 15/12/2023 16:44

Thank you @TomorrowsPrincess I read all the way through waiting for someone to mention Cole Tricole...the only Cole I know of.