Rising since 2010, #7,133 for girls today.
Popularity of Calvary since 1998
Babies named Calvary per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2017, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Calvary's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0 | 5 |
| 2000s | 6 | 6 |
| 2010s | 76 | 40 |
| 2020s | 64 | 63 |
Meaning & origin
Calvary is a deeply religious name that first entered U.S. records in 2009. Though it ranked 7,133 in 2025, its trajectory has been rising since 2010, with approximately 1 in 107,151 newborns receiving the name. Its peak year so far is 2025, suggesting growing interest. The name is unisex but more commonly given to boys. Calvary has not been recorded in any top states, indicating it remains rare across the country. For families seeking a name with strong Christian symbolism, Calvary offers a direct connection to the crucifixion narrative, though some may find its gravity weighty for a child.
Calvary derives from the Latin 'calvaria' meaning 'skull,' a translation of the Aramaic 'Golgotha.' In Christian tradition, it is the name of the hill outside Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified. As a given name, it emerged in the United States in the late 20th or early 21st century, likely adopted by religious families seeking a name with deep spiritual significance.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cal, Cally
Sibling names for Calvary
Names that share Calvary's style, for a brother or sister.
