Rising since 1985, #118 for boys today.
Popularity of Callum since 1983
Babies named Callum per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 44 |
| 1990s | 421 |
| 2000s | 1,324 |
| 2010s | 3,707 |
| 2020s | 10,555 |
Meaning & origin
Callum is a Scottish name that has seen a steady rise in popularity in the United States since the 1990s. Recorded as early as 1983, the name entered the top 1000 in the 2000s and reached its peak rank of 118 in 2025, reflecting a 1-in-570 naming rate. Its trajectory has been consistently rising since 1985, indicating growing appeal. The name is particularly favored in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Wyoming, states with strong Scottish heritage. Callum appeals to parents seeking a name that is both traditional and distinctive, with a gentle meaning of 'dove' rooted in the legacy of Saint Columba.
Callum is the anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic name Calum, itself derived from the Latin name Columba meaning 'dove'. The name gained popularity due to the 6th-century Irish missionary Saint Columba, who spread Christianity in Scotland. It has been a common name in Scotland and among Scottish diaspora for centuries, seeing a modern revival in the late 20th century.
Where Callum 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.
“Callum” around the world
Where Callum lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
#49
in 2025
New Zealand
13
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cal
Sibling names for Callum
Names that share Callum's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Isla, Freya, Maeve, Cora, Lila, Skye, Kirstyn, Shona, Tierney, Ailie, Ailsa, Ainslie, Catriona, Edina, Kirsty, Lockie, Madgie, Adaira, Islay, Kirsta, Mairi, Aisla, Eilidh, Esmarie, Imrie, Lochlyn, Mirren, Paisely, Tamlyn
Brothers: Lachlan, Declan, Finn, Rowan, Angus, Malcom, Tam, Alastair, Alistair, Ewan, Finlay, Tavis, Barclay, Chalmers, Duff, Fraser, Guthrie, Haig, Irvine, Jock, Keir, Taggart, Alasdair, Aleister, Euan, Ewen, Findlay, Hamish, Leith, Lorn, Macallister, Macaulay, Macgregor, Mackay, Maclane, Mccrae, Mcdonald, Mickle, Pate, Rankin, Saunders, Tavish, Alistar, Cregg, Alaster, Athol, Bannon, Carrick, Connery, Ewin, Frazer, Hendry, Kaylum, Lyall, Macdonald, Mackinnon, Maclean, Matheson, Mccauley, Mcgregor, Mckinnon, Ranald, Renton, Taggert, Taiten
Names like Callum
Names whose popularity has moved with Callum's over the last 50 years.
