This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance: Name: Coleman – Meaning: charcoal-burner, or patronymic form of Colman ('dove') – Origin: English (surname, occupational or patronymic) – Gender: used for both boys and girls – Pronunciation: KOHL-mun
Coleman is an English surname turned first name, and it carries two possible roots: it may come from "charcoal-burner," an old occupational name, or serve as a patronymic form of Colman, meaning "dove." That mix of a trade-rooted name and a family-name history gives it a practical, no-frills feel. It's worth a look for parents drawn to surname-style names with real occupational or genealogical roots rather than a single storybook meaning.
Meaning & Origin of Coleman
Meaning: Charcoal-burner, or patronymic form of Colman ('dove').
Origin: English (surname, occupational or patronymic).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Coleman
Phonetic: KOHL-mun IPA: /ˈkoʊlmən/
Popularity of Coleman
SSA records for Coleman stretch back to 1880, and the name actually peaked early, hitting #360 in 1903 with 28 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had settled much further down the list at #1279, with 153 boys named Coleman.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.
Make Coleman Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Coleman, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Coleman mean?
Charcoal-burner, or patronymic form of Colman (‘dove’). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Coleman)
How do you pronounce Coleman?
Coleman is pronounced KOHL-mun (IPA: /ˈkoʊlmən/).
Is Coleman a popular name right now?
Coleman peaked at #360 in 1903 and is ranked #1279 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
📊 How popular is Coleman? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
🎨 Get Printable Name Art for Coleman
Beautiful nursery-ready 8×10" print with name & meaning
Preview & Download →More Baby Name Inspiration
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →
