Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Caliph since 1972
Babies named Caliph per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 54 |
| 1980s | 20 |
| 1990s | 47 |
| 2000s | 50 |
| 2010s | 31 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Caliph entered U.S. naming records in 1972, reaching its peak popularity in 1974. Despite the peak, it has never been common, with the latest data (2025) showing a rank of 12,008 and a frequency of about 1 in 341,615 births. The name has remained stable in usage over the decades, never experiencing a revival. It is a direct adoption of the Arabic title, used mostly by families seeking a name with Islamic significance. The name has not been associated with any particular U.S. state in terms of higher frequency.
Caliph derives from the Arabic khalīfah (خليفة), meaning 'successor' or 'deputy.' It was used as a title for the successor to the Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community. While historically a title rather than a personal name, it has been adopted as a given name in some Muslim cultures.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cal, Caly
Sibling names for Caliph
Names that share Caliph's style, for a brother or sister.
