How to say it
COL · son
/ˈkoʊl.sən/
Masculine
Colson
Son of Cole
What it means
An English surname meaning 'son of Cole,' itself a medieval short for Nicholas.
Colson is an English surname meaning 'son of Cole,' and Cole began as a short form of Nicholas, 'victory of the people.' It fits neatly with the popular -son and Col- names like Colton and Cole, reading both rugged and polished. Author Colson Whitehead has raised its profile. Cole is the obvious short. Said COHL-son.
Popularity over time
peaked at #311 in 2025, currently #311 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–present. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Cole.
- Pop culture
Pulitzer-winning novelist Colson Whitehead.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Colson Whitehead two-time Pulitzer-winning American novelist
Spelling variants
- Coulson
- Colsen
- Colton
Names with the same feeling
See Colson from another angle
By style