A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Kalman since 1912
Babies named Kalman per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2017, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kalman's real moment was 1914.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 144 |
| 1920s | 138 |
| 1930s | 75 |
| 1940s | 114 |
| 1950s | 92 |
| 1960s | 83 |
| 1970s | 59 |
| 1980s | 51 |
| 1990s | 83 |
| 2000s | 137 |
| 2010s | 166 |
| 2020s | 116 |
Meaning & origin
Kalman first appeared in U.S. records in 1912 and peaked in popularity in 1914. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 1989, reflecting a revival of interest in traditional Jewish names. In 2023, it ranked 4,050, with about 1 in 65,695 baby boys receiving the name. The name's strongest association is with New York, its top state historically. Kalman's trajectory suggests a quiet but steady comeback among families seeking meaningful Hebrew-derived names with a distinct Ashkenazi heritage.
Kalman is likely a contracted form of the Hebrew name Kalonymos (Greek Kalonymos, 'good name'), which was common among medieval Jewish communities in Europe. The name appears in Yiddish-speaking Ashkenazi families, often as a given name or a cognate of the German name Kalm. It has been used in the United States since at least the early 20th century, primarily by Jewish immigrant families.
Where Kalman is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kal, Manny
Variants: Kalmen, Kalmus, Kalom
Sibling names for Kalman
Names that share Kalman's style, for a brother or sister.
