Kohl

What does Kohl mean?

Kohl is a concise, modern masculine name with a crisp, confident sound. Its meaning as a given name is uncertain. It is sometimes used as a spelling variant of Cole, while it also has associations with the German surname Kohl and with kohl, the dark cosmetic traditionally used around the eyes.

The name's single syllable gives it a strong, streamlined feel. Kohl suits parents drawn to uncommon names that are easy to pronounce, memorable on the page and quietly distinctive.

Historical Context

Kohl appears in several linguistic contexts, which makes a single origin for its use as a given name difficult to establish. In German, Kohl is a surname and word for cabbage, while English kohl, referring to a dark eye cosmetic, ultimately comes from Arabic kuḥl. As a modern English-language first name, Kohl may also be chosen as a variant spelling of Cole, a name with separate surname-based histories. These associations do not confirm one shared meaning for every use of Kohl as a personal name.

Popularity of Kohl over time

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