Holding steady, #5,608 for boys today.
Popularity of Kalev since 2000
Babies named Kalev per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 37 |
| 2010s | 132 |
| 2020s | 81 |
Meaning & origin
Kalev is a name with deep roots in Estonian mythology, introduced to the U.S. naming pool around 2000. Its first recorded use in Social Security data is in 2000. The name peaked in popularity in 2014 at a rank of 5608. As of 2025, it remains stable in usage, with a frequency of 1 in 106,755 births. The name is not associated with any particular U.S. states. Kalev remains a distinctive choice that honors Estonian heritage while being accessible to English speakers.
Kalev is a name from Estonian national epic, the Kalevipoeg, where Kalev is the father of the hero. The name is of uncertain origin but is traditionally associated with the mythological figure. It has been used in Estonia since the 19th century and gained popularity in the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kal
Variants: Kalevi
Sibling names for Kalev
Names that share Kalev's style, for a brother or sister.
