Coel

A Welsh name passed down from ancient history: the first known Coel was a leader in Romano-British times, who became a figure of medieval legend. Coel Hen (Coel the Old) was the name of a king in Ayr, and he is believed to have inspired the rhyme Old King Cole (where Cole is likely an anglicised spelling of Coel).

The authentic pronunciation is like "coil", but it could also be a respelling of Cole, and some may want to make it rhyme with Joel.

Pronounced KOH-el.

As of October 2026, Coel ranked #10196 in US births in 2004 SSA, peaked at #7952 in 1994.