Declining since 2012, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Calin since 1960
Babies named Calin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 40 | 140 |
| 1990s | 86 | 234 |
| 2000s | 77 | 272 |
| 2010s | 21 | 377 |
| 2020s | 0 | 133 |
Meaning & origin
Calin has been in steady but low-level use in the United States since 1960, when it first appeared in Social Security records. Its peak came in 2011, but usage has been falling since 2012, reflecting a broader trend away from mid-century variations. Despite starting from a small base, the name has a 1-in-122,005 incidence in 2025, placing it well outside the top 1,000. Its similarity to both Irish Caolán and the more common Calvin gives it a quiet, versatile appeal, though it has never achieved widespread popularity.
Calin is likely a variant or anglicized form of the Irish name Caolán, which derives from 'caol' meaning 'slender'. It may also be influenced by the name Calvin, of Latin origin from 'calvus' meaning 'bald'. In modern usage, it has been adopted as a given name in English-speaking countries, often as a unique alternative to similar-sounding names.
“Calin” around the world
Where Calin lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cal
Sibling names for Calin
Names that share Calin's style, for a brother or sister.
