Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Colt
BoyEnglish, Old English· “young horse”
- Meaning
- young horse
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- KOHLT
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #285
- US babies 2025
- 1,188
- Best rank
- #210 (2019)
- Peak year
- 2019
Meaning and origin of Colt
Colt is an English and Old English name that means “young horse”.
Colt comes from the English word for a young male horse, a word already found in Old English. It also exists as a surname, and it became widely known through Samuel Colt, whose firearms company is famous in American history. As a given name Colt has a strong Western, rugged image, bringing to mind ranches and open country. It is short and energetic, in the same style as names like Wyatt, Cash and Beau. Colt can also serve as a nickname for longer names such as Colton or Colter, which share its opening sound.
Popularity over time
Colt first appears in US Social Security records in 1957. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 42 different years, starting in 1982. Its best national rank was #210 in 2019, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,833 babies. In 2025, 1,188 babies were named Colt, and it ranked #285 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #5,031 in 1980, #816 in 2000, #331 in 2010, and #285 in 2025. Of the 27,869 US boys named Colt since records began, 42% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 8,603 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Lukas, Holden, Zane, Kyler, and Maximiliano.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Colt ranked highest in West Virginia, Iowa, and Arkansas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #59 | 28 |
| Iowa | #137 | 30 |
| Arkansas | #142 | 25 |
| North Dakota | #157 | 8 |
| Utah | #159 | 34 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Colt is usually pronounced KOHLT, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with C and ends in “-lt”.
Middle names for Colt
A few middle names that flow with Colt: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Colt
Similar names
Tate Boy
TAYT
“from an Old English personal name” · English
#194
Cade Boy
KAYD
“from an English surname; round, lumpy” · English
#248
Drake Boy
DRAYK
“dragon” · English
#827
Reed Boy
REED
“red-haired” · English
#419
Brock Boy
BRAHK
“badger” · English
#810
Ford Boy
FAWRD
“river crossing” · English
#474
Bear Boy
BEHR
“bear” · English
#853
Heath Boy
HEETH
“heath, open land with heather” · English
#932
Slade Boy
SLAYD
“valley” · English
#1,055
Fox Boy
FAHKS
“fox” · English
#1,411
Wolf Boy
WOOLF
“wolf” · German
#1,902
Chase Boy
CHAYS
“hunter” · English
#192
Lists that include Colt
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Colt mean?
Colt is an English and Old English name that means “young horse”.
What is the origin of the name Colt?
Colt has English and Old English roots. Colt comes from the English word for a young male horse, a word already found in Old English.
Is Colt a popular name?
Yes. Colt ranked #285 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Colt a boy or girl name?
Colt is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Colt?
Colt is usually pronounced KOHLT. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings