I had a friend who named her now nine-year-old son
Cole. I always said that
Cole, coupled with her last name, sounded like the hero of a cheesy romance novel.
That's case specific, though.
Cole with another last name won't necessarily sound cheesy, but I don't know...it's just not a favorite of mine. Sounds just like the word "coal". Not the greatest mental picture.
I'd prefer it as a nickname for
Nicholas, but I think it can stand alone.