Declining since 2002, #58 for boys today.
Popularity of Caleb since 1880
Babies named Caleb per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 182 |
| 1890s | 89 |
| 1900s | 106 |
| 1910s | 317 |
| 1920s | 416 |
| 1930s | 316 |
| 1940s | 312 |
| 1950s | 416 |
| 1960s | 518 |
| 1970s | 4,012 |
| 1980s | 20,644 |
| 1990s | 66,298 |
| 2000s | 110,087 |
| 2010s | 86,734 |
| 2020s | 33,903 |
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.
“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
Famous people named Caleb
- Caleb Cushing · nineteenth-century American statesman and diplomat
- Caleb Carr · novelist and military historian, author of The Alienist
- Caleb Landry Jones · American actor and musician
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.

