Rising since 1994, #2,991 for boys today.
Popularity of Callaghan since 1994
Babies named Callaghan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 8 | 35 |
| 2000s | 11 | 53 |
| 2010s | 5 | 95 |
| 2020s | 40 | 191 |
Meaning & origin
Callaghan entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1994, and its trajectory has been steadily rising since then. In 2025, it reached its peak rank of 2,991, with a frequency of about 1 in 41,660 births. As an anglicized Irish surname turned given name, it follows the pattern of other Irish surnames like Sullivan and Finnegan that have gained modern popularity. The name has not yet broken into the top 1,000, but its consistent upward trend suggests growing appeal among parents seeking a distinctive Irish name with traditional roots.
Callaghan is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ceallacháin, meaning 'descendant of Ceallachán.' Ceallachán is a diminutive of Ceallach, an old Irish personal name probably meaning 'bright-headed' or 'strife.' The Ó Ceallacháin were a prominent sept in County Cork, with the surname established as a given name in modern times, particularly in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cal, Cally
Variants: Callahan, O'Callaghan
Sibling names for Callaghan
Names that share Callaghan's style, for a brother or sister.
