Declining since 2008, #295 for boys today.
Popularity of Kaleb since 1970
Babies named Kaleb per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 387 |
| 1980s | 2,537 |
| 1990s | 14,904 |
| 2000s | 34,761 |
| 2010s | 26,039 |
| 2020s | 8,021 |
Meaning & origin
Kaleb, a modern respelling of Caleb, entered the U.S. naming scene around 1970 and climbed steadily to its peak rank of 84 in 2009. Since then, it has fallen in popularity, ranking 295th in 2025 with about 1 in 1,494 boys receiving the name. The name shows strongest usage in Southern states including Mississippi, Arkansas, and Nevada. While sharing the biblical heritage of Caleb, the Kaleb variant appeals to parents seeking a distinctive pronunciation-friendly version with a contemporary feel.
Kaleb is a variant of the Hebrew name Caleb (כָּלֵב), often interpreted as 'dog' or 'faithful, devoted'. In the Old Testament, Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan and, along with Joshua, encouraged the Israelites to take the land. The spelling Kaleb emerged as a modern American variant, gaining popularity in the late 20th century.
Where Kaleb 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.
“Kaleb” around the world
Where Kaleb lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
9
babies in 2025
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Quebec
32
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kal, Kale
Variants: Caleb
Sibling names for Kaleb
Names that share Kaleb's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aaliyah, Jordyn, Maya, Serenity, Zoe, Alaysia, Dasia, Iyana, Jakayla, Kasandra, Makiyah, Nakayla, Shaniya, Taliyah, Akeelah, Daysha, Jailah, Jailene, Jaydah, Kailah, Kalayah, Keiara, Makala, Tiona, Zaniya, Ariyonna, Caleah, Caliah, Chaniya, Daeja, Deajah, Deija, Demya, Deniyah, Iyannah, Jaelah, Jakiah, Jakyla, Jalaysia, Jaleigha, Jaleyah, Jezelle, Kaaliyah, Kabrina, Kailea, Kaleyah, Kalianna, Kamarie, Kamika, Kamyra, Kaniah, Kashia, Kawana, Keairra, Keyani, Keyera, Kharisma, Khayla, Kiahna, Labria, Makaiya, Makeyla, Makyah, Makyia, Malaysha, Najae, Nakya, Nakyla, Naryah, Shakyra, Shanai, Talaysia, Taleigha, Tkeyah, Akylah, Alayzia, Asmara, Braniyah, Caniya, Danajah, Deairra, Jahdai, Jakala, Jakaylah, Jakeira, Jakera, Jakyah, Jalasia, Jaleya, Jalise, Jamyria, Janesha, Janeya, Janiylah, Jasibe, Jeyla, Jmya, Kalaysia, Kaleiah, Kalicia, Kamyrah, Kaprice, Kashay, Katoya, Kayona, Kelaiah, Keniah, Keniyah, Kloee, Lanyiah, Makalia, Makalya, Makayah, Makila, Malaiyah, Malajah, Maleeyah, Markeya, Neriyah, Nijah, Nikiyah, Nyashia, Selam, Seniyah, Shakiera, Takya, Taleya, Teyona, Tyjah, Tykira, Tylasia, Dniyah, Jalaina, Jalayia, Javae, Kamariya, Karalina, Katoria, Manelyk, Niasha, Rakeb, Ajahnae, Akaylah, Akaysha, Akeylah, Ashyia, Caleyah, Chamya, Dayjah, Demyah, Eriyanna, Icess, Jacayla, Jacora, Jahnaya, Jahnyla, Jakirah, Jakyrah, Jalayiah, Jaleeya, Jalisia, Jalyah, Jalyiah, Jalyric, Jaquayla, Javayah, Kabria, Kadasia, Kadeisha, Kaelea, Kahlee, Kaleeya, Kaleeyah, Kaleiyah, Kalyiah, Kameria, Kanasia, Kanyah, Kasarah, Kaylahni, Kayleana, Kemyah, Keyatta, Keyuna, Keyunna, Kmya, Lakiah, Larayah, Makahla, Makaylia, Makela, Makhiya, Mekaila, Mikeya, Naileah, Nyaisha, Nygeria, Quierra, Reniah, Shabree, Shalay, Shalayah, Shavanna, Starasia, Syleena, Takyla, Tanaja, Tanyiah, Tashiba, Tationna, Temia, Tyshia, Vaniyah
Brothers: Ethan, Issac, Dylan, Landon, Caleb, Keon, Malikai, Dasean, Jailen, Jakobe, Travion, Xavien, Zaylen, Cyncere, Dacari, Dmari, Ezana, Jacori, Jakhari, Kadarius, Kalem, Kaleth, Kamazi, Kemon, Maleik, Mekhai, Miciah, Tylik, Zaquan, Derius, Jashun, Javoni, Jyair, Kaevon, Kalief, Kalijah, Kamarii, Kayveon, Keymari, Keyondre, Khyrie, Kishawn, Kmari, Makale, Makhari, Malikye, Nekhi, Saivon, Tevion, Tiyon, Tyquez, Jabori, Jailan, Dmonte, Isahia, Jaesean, Jaeveon, Jakaree, Jamarien, Jamicah, Jaquavis, Joeziah, Kadarrius, Kalonji, Karnell, Keaundre, Kebron, Kessiah, Keymon, Kishaun, Kyeir, Malahki, Nyheem, Rayjon, Taiquan
Names like Kaleb
Names whose popularity has moved with Kaleb's over the last 50 years.
