MallowbyNames

Caleb

KAY-lub · Hebrew Kalev, of debated derivation, traditionally linked to kelev, "dog," read as a figure for devotion, or to a phrase meaning "whole-hearted."

2025 rank (boys)
#58
Babies named in 2025
5,217
Peak popularity
2002
2025 frequency
1 in 327 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 2002

Declining since 2002, #58 for boys today.

Popularity of Caleb since 1880

Babies named Caleb per year in U.S. Social Security records.

3.9k7.8k11.7k1880192019602000Most births 2002Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1880s182
1890s89
1900s106
1910s317
1920s416
1930s316
1940s312
1950s416
1960s518
1970s4,012
1980s20,644
1990s66,298
2000s110,087
2010s86,734
2020s33,903

Meaning & origin

Caleb crested in 2002, at the leading edge of the millennial baby boom in Old Testament names, and has been descending at an unhurried pace ever since, rank 58 in 2025, about one boy in 327. That puts it a naming generation ahead of Asher and Ezra: the same revival impulse, arriving fifteen years earlier.

Its strongest states today are the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Hawaii, a notably coastal and metropolitan footprint for a Puritan staple. Like Isaac, Caleb draws from several traditions at once, colonial New England history, evangelical scripture, and broad multicultural use, which spreads it more evenly across the map than its frontier image suggests.

The post-peak slide has been gentle, and Caleb's colonial pedigree gives it a floor that trendier 2002 classmates lack; it has been an American name since the seventeenth century and spent the intervening span in continuous quiet use. Cal makes an easy, old-fashioned nickname, and the debated etymology, loyal dog or whole heart, lands in the same place either way: a name about devotion.

In the books of Numbers and Joshua, Caleb is one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan and, with Joshua, one of only two of his generation permitted to enter the promised land. The Hebrew name Kalev is genuinely debated: the traditional reading connects it to kelev, "dog," understood as a figure for loyal, wholehearted devotion, while others derive it from a phrase meaning roughly "whole-hearted," from kol, "all," and lev, "heart." Puritans brought Caleb to colonial New England in the seventeenth century, and it persisted quietly through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries before the biblical-revival wave of the 1980s and 1990s carried it to a 2002 peak.

Read more: Caleb on Wikipedia

Where Caleb is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few births

Caleb” around the world

Where Caleb lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    120

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    52

    babies in 2025

  • New Zealand

    #62

    in 2025

  • Quebec

    #58

    in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Cal, Cale

Variants: Kaleb, Kalev, Cale

Famous people named Caleb

Sibling names for Caleb

Names that share Caleb's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Abigail, Leah, Hannah, Lydia, Naomi, Chloe, Ella, Alana, Alanna, Alyssa, Bethany, Faith, Hailey, Jocelyn, Kara, Kiara, Loren, Makayla, Mya, Serenity, Abigale, Adelynn, Alaina, Alanah, Alaura, Alaya, Alayna, Aleena, Alissa, Alyse, Amaris, America, Aniah, Annalee, Audrina, Aviana, Avianna, Bethel, Bria, Brienna, Caleigh, Cari, Carlie, Carmel, Cassy, Darcie, Davina, Dayla, Demi, Destiney, Dorcas, Elayna, Emalyn, Evyn, Genna, Haleigh, Halie, Halle, Haylie, Iyanna, Jael, Jalyn, Jania, Janna, Jaslyn, Jasmin, Jayda, Jazmyn, Jocelynn, Jordana, Kaela, Kaelyn, Kaila, Karly, Kaylah, Keila, Keyla, Kianna, Kiersten, Kyla, Kylah, Kyleigh, Laney, Maddison, Melodie, Mercy, Moriah, Myah, Natalee, Patience, Promise, Prudence, Rayna, Rhianna, Saige, Savanna, Siara, Taleah, Taliah, Teara, Zoie, Aaryn, Abbigayle, Abilene, Adara, Akayla, Alaiya, Alanis, Alara, Alexys, Aleyna, Allena, Allisson, Alona, Alonna, Alyanna, Alyna, Alyza, Analeah, Angelie, Annabeth, Annaleigh, Annalyn, Anyla, Arayah, Arieanna, Arionna, Aryah, Aubrianna, Aubriella, Avalyn, Aylah, Azalee, Brina, Brynna, Cailee, Caliyah, Celena, Charita, Chloie, Chynna, Cienna, Codie, Dayra, Denia, Destanie, Destany, Edyn, Eila, Elicia, Eliyah, Eliyanah, Ellyana, Elyana, Emberlyn, Emilyn, Emmarie, Eriana, Erianna, Euna, Fayth, Harmonee, Hermon, Jackelin, Jaela, Jaila, Jaina, Janelly, Jaslynn, Jazelle, Jazzmin, Jorja, Joshlyn, Josselyn, Jubilee, Kaeleigh, Kaily, Kalee, Kalynn, Kamia, Karah, Kateri, Keilah, Kera, Kyara, Kyrah, Lael, Laina, Lanna, Layna, Leeanna, Leiah, Leonna, Liah, Loran, Lorissa, Lynnea, Lyssa, Malayah, Maryn, Michayla, Mikaylah, Nayely, Raeanna, Rayanna, Renna, Rhyan, Riana, Rianna, Shaniah, Shara, Suzannah, Tabetha, Tahlia, Talisa, Tayah, Temple, Terah, Trinitee, Wynona, Yancy, Zendaya, Zhane, Aariah, Aayla, Adrena, Aeriana, Aeryn, Ailana, Ailee, Ailey, Alahna, Alahni, Alaijah, Alainah, Alanie, Alaynah, Alaynna, Aleana, Aleesa, Aleina, Alenna, Alesa, Alexah, Alexya, Aliannah, Alin, Alliana, Allianna, Allyanna, Alynn, Alyxandria, Amaiah, Amyia, Amyla, Analyn, Aniyla, Annaleah, Annessa, Arah, Araina, Aralyn, Aralynn, Arieana, Arilyn, Arynn, Atalie, Aubre, Aunna, Auria, Avanna, Avielle, Aviya, Avri, Azaleah, Baleria, Brayla, Breya, Brihanna, Brin, Calee, Calise, Calissa, Callee, Camia, Catera, Caylah, Chani, Channa, Charish, Chasiti, Cherith, Cherrish, Ciani, Corah, Daejah, Daena, Daisia, Daleysa, Daliah, Dalynn, Danah, Danay, Danaya, Danea, Dannia, Danyella, Daphanie, Davia, Delyla, Destanee, Destyne, Dierra, Edelyn, Elah, Elexia, Elianah, Ellieana, Elliemae, Ellyanna, Ellyse, Elyn, Emaleigh, Emmarae, Erionna, Evalee, Evani, Faithlyn, Hayla, Jacara, Jackelyne, Jaelani, Jaelle, Jaelynne, Jaidah, Jakelin, Jakeline, Jalee, Jalena, Janyiah, Jasmaine, Jaysa, Jazaria, Jazel, Jazlyne, Jema, Jemimah, Jenah, Jenasis, Jenea, Jenika, Jennalyn, Jera, Jerra, Jesselyn, Joselyne, Joshlynn, Josilyn, Kaelie, Kahla, Kalissa, Kallee, Kalyssa, Kariana, Karys, Kayda, Kayleah, Kayloni, Kaziah, Keirah, Kelia, Kesia, Keyaira, Khyla, Kirah, Kitzia, Kyera, Lahna, Lalah, Lamaria, Lanah, Lanea, Lania, Lariah, Leaha, Leala, Leeana, Leelah, Leianna, Leyana, Livie, Lorali, Lyana, Maddelyn, Makailah, Makhia, Malaina, Malanie, Maleya, Mareli, Marleah, Mayela, Mayleen, Maylen, Mckennah, Melayna, Mersadies, Miarose, Mikalah, Mikela, Mirel, Miyanna, Modesty, Myanna, Mylia, Naiomi, Nashly, Natalyn, Natilee, Naylea, Nevaeha, Noely, Providence, Rainah, Reana, Reeva, Renesmae, Rheannon, Rhiana, Riane, Rylea, Sarayah, Seaira, Serah, Serinity, Shaleah, Sharayah, Shian, Shylynn, Sianni, Siarra, Siona, Syerra, Syriah, Taleen, Talissa, Taniah, Tapanga, Taysha, Tearra, Terrah, Terressa, Tiahna, Tiandra, Tiyana, Trenity, Trianna, Tylah, Valeta, Zaliyah, Zandria, Zanna, Zarriah, Zillah, Zophia, Aaryanna, Abagayle, Abbiegail, Abrie, Abygale, Adalae, Adalay, Adalaya, Adaleah, Adalis, Adalyna, Adana, Addi, Adlyn, Ahlana, Ahria, Aidee, Aily, Aireal, Aireana, Aireanna, Airel, Aireona, Airyanna, Aitanna, Alauna, Aleanna, Aleese, Alenah, Alera, Alianah, Aliyana, Allannah, Allyna, Alonah, Alynah, Alyzabeth, Alyzza, Ambyr, Amea, Ameia, Amesha, Amily, Analiya, Aneth, Aniyha, Annaliah, Annaya, Anneth, Anniah, Araiya, Areil, Arhianna, Ariely, Aryssa, Ashayla, Aubreanna, Aubrei, Aubriel, Avelyn, Avelynn, Avianah, Avriana, Avrianna, Aylana, Aylissa, Aylla, Ayrianna, Bethanee, Bethanny, Betheny, Braniya, Braya, Briani, Cabella, Caitlynne, Calayah, Caliana, Caliya, Calyssa, Camiah, Camira, Capria, Caralee, Caralynn, Carlea, Chariti, Cherity, Ciena, Dahlila, Dannae, Daryana, Daviona, Daziah, Deari, Dearia, Demiah, Destenie, Eilah, Eilee, Elanda, Eleah, Eliannah, Elisheba, Ellanie, Ellyssa, Emmalie, Emmylou, Endya, Ereka, Esmay, Evania, Evynn, Gara, Gracious, Haeli, Haile, Hailei, Halena, Haylo, Ivori, Jadee, Jaianna, Jalana, Janellie, Janesa, Jayd, Jaylanni, Jaylianna, Jenaiah, Jenin, Jesalyn, Joeli, Joelie, Joelynn, Jolea, Joley, Josilynn, Juleah, Juliannah, Juliauna, Karielle, Kataleyah, Katelen, Kathaleya, Katianna, Katriana, Kayliah, Kayliegh, Kaylla, Kayna, Kazandra, Kearah, Kelilah, Kelina, Ketra, Keyerra, Koralyn, Kylia, Kyliah, Labrea, Laiyla, Lannah, Larah, Laranda, Laraya, Larra, Laylee, Leahna, Leaira, Leanda, Leanny, Leasha, Leiya, Lenae, Leyanna, Liahna, Lileigh, Livian, Lorely, Maddelynn, Mahkayla, Maigan, Makaylie, Makenah, Makyra, Mandalyn, Marae, Marelin, Mayana, Maydelin, Mayzee, Mckala, Melanny, Merrin, Merryn, Miani, Mikaelah, Mikalyn, Mikylah, Miyonna, Monea, Mylea, Myleen, Mylena, Naomia, Neenah, Neidy, Nevaya, Neviah, Niaomi, Nyellie, Pariss, Rainna, Reyana, Rheana, Rissa, Sadey, Savayah, Seidy, Serenidy, Sharah, Shelsea, Shiana, Sofiah, Sorah, Syanna, Syanne, Tambria, Tamu, Tannah, Tanyah, Tecora, Teila, Tessia, Tianah, Tylea, Valyn, Xayla, Yosselyn, Zanovia, Zaryiah, Abigial, Annai, Ariyona, Armiyah, Celica, Daneli, Daveigh, Ellysa, Evanne, Jayel, Jenevie, Laelle, Lenah, Mckenzey, Mikeila, Montia, Navea, Rionna, Samarie, Seara, Sheylin, Aarionna, Aaryah, Aaylah, Abbagayle, Abbee, Abygayle, Achsah, Acsa, Adaisha, Adalai, Adalea, Adaleyza, Adarah, Adaria, Adoree, Ahnesti, Aidy, Aislee, Alailah, Alaisa, Alanya, Alayssa, Alayziah, Aleaya, Aleea, Aleighna, Aleyssa, Alisah, Alissah, Allexa, Alyannah, Alysah, Amalee, Amary, Ambrie, Amilee, Amillya, Anayi, Anelly, Angala, Aniayah, Annaka, Annalynne, Annayah, Anyely, Areyana, Ariannie, Ariyel, Arriah, Arryanna, Audryana, Aundraya, Avaeh, Avaleen, Avarae, Avonni, Avyonna, Azarria, Azaylea, Bekah, Belanna, Breea, Briena, Bryannah, Bryssa, Caileen, Calirose, Carlia, Cereniti, Cerinity, Chalisa, Chariah, Charidy, Charitie, Chassity, Cheyna, Chyan, Cyera, Cynia, Daisa, Daisja, Dalya, Daylah, Dazha, Deara, Deina, Deleah, Demaya, Devaeh, Deveah, Elaisha, Elanah, Elayjah, Elaynah, Elyanah, Emmamae, Emmilee, Emyah, Evanee, Falicity, Geniya, Haly, Ilissa, Iliza, Ilynn, Iriel, Iyanni, Jacklyne, Jadea, Jalei, Jamilette, Jaszmine, Jaymarie, Jaysie, Jeda, Jerah, Jeslin, Jessah, Jessenya, Jessly, Jhana, Johonna, Jonessa, Josabeth, Josalin, Julea, Julyanna, Kadia, Kaianna, Kanyia, Kariel, Kassiah, Katelee, Kayela, Kayleeann, Kaymarie, Keriana, Keyanah, Khalie, Klohe, Kyelle, Kyira, Lacora, Laiah, Laneya, Laylonie, Leahanna, Letetia, Lexianna, Leyan, Lianah, Liandra, Lilyauna, Liyanna, Liyla, Lydiana, Lynia, Madissen, Maeci, Maghen, Mahaila, Maileen, Makaelyn, Makaley, Makayle, Makilah, Malary, Malijah, Malillany, Malyiah, Mareta, Marlaya, Marnae, Marren, Matisha, Mayelin, Maylea, Mekaela, Metha, Micaila, Mikailah, Mikhayla, Milianna, Mionna, Mykalah, Naomii, Nataliyah, Natara, Navayah, Nayanna, Nianna, Olanna, Quiera, Raianna, Reizy, Rhia, Rhylei, Ryiah, Ryian, Sabrea, Sarahanne, Saraih, Sedra, Seyla, Shaynah, Shealee, Sieara, Taneil, Tayra, Tayvia, Teeghan, Tianne, Tinya, Torria, Trinaty, Tyianna, Veralynn, Yeilin, Zalena, Zavannah, Zeidy, Zoejane

Brothers: Joshua, Ethan, Micah, Seth, Isaiah, Aaron, Jacob, Noah, Abel, Aidan, Aron, Barrett, Duncan, Eli, Evan, Gavin, Jesse, Joel, Kaleb, Malachi, Nathan, Ty, Wesley, Xander, Aarin, Abner, Alijah, Amos, Austen, Coby, Davis, Delon, Dilan, Eathan, Eber, Eithan, Eliam, Ely, Evans, Griffin, Harlan, Izaiah, Jadon, Jair, Jaison, Jaren, Jed, Jedidiah, Jireh, Justis, Kalen, Keaton, Kenan, Kolbe, Kyan, Landen, Mikah, Omer, Tavian, Zakary, Aarron, Adin, Adryan, Ammon, Aren, Arin, Aven, Calen, Dathan, Dillion, Eben, Edan, Edin, Eian, Elyjah, Emmit, Ethen, Ethyn, Eyan, Izaak, Izak, Izayah, Jacobe, Jamin, Jarom, Jashua, Jathan, Jaycob, Jaymes, Jayvon, Jeb, Jeramiah, Jered, Jeremey, Jessiah, Joell, Joshuah, Keyan, Massiah, Mikal, Nathon, Sampson, Talan, Taron, Truett, Zac, Zakery, Zeb, Addam, Adrean, Adyan, Ahren, Alexx, Anden, Athen, Aydon, Benjamyn, Calib, Dalan, Dayan, Daymian, Devaun, Dilon, Eidan, Eligh, Emmette, Eriq, Evann, Eythan, Garion, Gehrig, Grahm, Hadden, Hubbard, Iden, Issak, Izack, Jabez, Jabin, Jairon, Jayon, Jayvin, Jeran, Jerin, Joesiah, Jotham, Keean, Kelin, Krystopher, Leiland, Lelan, Lliam, Logun, Lukus, Macoy, Michah, Mikale, Milas, Nashon, Naythan, Neithan, Othniel, Reuel, Savian, Shem, Taber, Trampas, Wynton, Xaiver, Yared, Zacheriah, Zachry, Zakhari, Zekiel, Abdon, Abron, Adom, Airen, Aldan, Alezander, Ansen, Arren, Arrick, Aryon, Ayron, Brenon, Brighten, Crystian, Daimian, Daymion, Devell, Eathen, Ebin, Etan, Ethon, Evrett, Ezeriah, Garet, Gershom, Helaman, Izayiah, Jakin, Janiel, Japhet, Jaremy, Jayen, Jerimie, Joenathan, Jonovan, Jonus, Jorel, Juniel, Kalieb, Keian, Keinan, Keveon, Lahiam, Leeam, Leelan, Leodan, Leven, Luken, Maxen, Merek, Michai, Micholas, Mycah, Mykell, Nahshon, Naithan, Nathanyel, Nathin, Nethaniel, Owynn, Pj, Quentyn, Rivan, Robel, Ryot, Sabastion, Sabien, Tarron, Theran, Travas, Trevante, Tyrae, Urias, Zaccary, Zachrey, Zackry, Zakkery, Zayon, Avyon, Eithen, Isack, Jathniel, Jebadiah, Kalyb, Savien, Siler, Abrian, Adryel, Adryen, Ahlias, Aison, Arrin, Biran, Callin, Celvin, Daemien, Dharius, Earon, Ehitan, Emmons, Eylan, Ezael, Iseah, Issiac, Ivann, Izzak, Jacobey, Jahred, Jefte, Jeniel, Jheremy, Jhoel, Johathon, Jonaven, Jonavin, Jonta, Jsiah, Kaenan, Kamarian, Karion, Kaylem, Kaylib, Kelijah, Khyan, Kilan, Leniel, Levan, Lewi, Mainor, Makail, Makyle, Malacai, Markale, Nalan, Nathanyal, Navier, Nayshawn, Nethan, Nevyn, Noan, Ronith, Saben, Seith, Tevan, Theoren, Tristain, Zacchary, Zeric

Names like Caleb

Names whose popularity has moved with Caleb's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

C is for Caleb, our favorite little boy.

C is for Caleb…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Caleb's letter becomes Caleb's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Caleb's book

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Questions parents ask

What does Caleb mean?
The derivation is honestly debated. The traditional reading ties Hebrew Kalev to kelev, "dog," understood as an emblem of devotion; a competing account derives it from a phrase meaning "whole-hearted." Either way, the biblical Caleb is defined by faithfulness.
How popular is Caleb?
Caleb ranked 58th among American boys in 2025, given to about one boy in 327. It peaked in 2002 and has been sliding gradually since, though it remains a top-100 staple.
Who was Caleb in the Bible?
One of the twelve spies Moses sent into Canaan, and with Joshua one of only two of his generation allowed to enter the promised land, a reward, the text says, for wholehearted faith.
Caleb or Kaleb?
Caleb is the traditional English spelling and remains the more common one; Kaleb charts separately and lower. Both are pronounced identically.