Rising since 1990, #4,050 for boys today.
Popularity of Calahan since 1986
Babies named Calahan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 51 |
| 2000s | 76 |
| 2010s | 57 |
| 2020s | 101 |
Meaning & origin
Calahan entered U.S. baby name records in 1986 and has been on a slow but steady rise ever since. In 2025 it reached its peak rank of 4050, with an occurrence rate of roughly 1 in 65695 newborns. The name's trajectory shows consistent growth since the 1990s, reflecting a broader trend of Irish surnames being adopted as first names. While no top states have been recorded for Calahan, it likely follows patterns similar to other Irish surname-names, with clusters in states like Massachusetts and New York. Calahan offers a fresh alternative to more common Irish-derived names, appealing to parents seeking a name with heritage and a touch of modern distinctiveness.
Calahan is likely a variant spelling of Callahan, an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ceallacháin, which means 'descendant of Ceallachán'. The personal name Ceallachán is a diminutive of Ceallach, meaning 'bright-headed' or 'warlike'. Historically associated with County Cork, the name migrated to the United States as a surname and has seen occasional use as a given name since the late 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cal, Hank, Caly
Sibling names for Calahan
Names that share Calahan's style, for a brother or sister.
