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.
How to spell Colson
The standard spelling is Colson. Common variants include Coulson, Colsen, Colton, but Colson is the most widely used form.
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, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. 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
Common questions
- What does the name Colson mean?
- An English surname meaning 'son of Cole,' itself a medieval short for Nicholas.
- What does Colson mean in English?
- In English, Colson means "Son of Cole." 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.
- How do you pronounce Colson?
- Colson is pronounced ˈkoʊl.sən. Say it as COL-son, with the stress on the "col" syllable.
- How do you spell Colson?
- The standard spelling is Colson. Common spelling variants include Coulson, Colsen, Colton.
- Is Colson a boy or girl name?
- Colson is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Colson?
- Colson ranked #311 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.