Declining since 2009.
Popularity of Kaeleb since 1994
Babies named Kaeleb per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 75 |
| 2000s | 269 |
| 2010s | 246 |
| 2020s | 45 |
Meaning & origin
Kaeleb is a modern respelling of Caleb that first appeared in U.S. records in 1994. It reached its highest usage in 2008, but has been on a downward trajectory since 2009. Unlike the traditional Caleb, which has remained a top 100 name for decades, Kaeleb has never ranked in the national top 1000. The spelling reflects a broader trend of phonetic modifications that give traditional names a distinctive update. While no top states are recorded for Kaeleb, its parent name Caleb is popular across the country, particularly in southern and midwestern states. As a relatively new coinage, Kaeleb carries no historical baggage and offers a modern alternative to a classic biblical name.
Kaeleb is a modern respelling of the biblical name Caleb (Hebrew: כָּלֵב, Kalev). The traditional Hebrew meaning is often given as 'dog' or 'faithful'. In the Old Testament, Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. The spelling Kaeleb emerged in the late 20th century as part of a trend of inventive phonetic respellings of traditional names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kae, Kai, Caleb
Sibling names for Kaeleb
Names that share Kaeleb's style, for a brother or sister.
