MallowbyNames

Kayleb

KAY-leb · Of uncertain origin; likely a modern variant of Caleb, traditionally meaning 'dog' or 'faithful' in Hebrew, but this is debated.

2025 rank (boys)
#3,583
Babies named in 2025
31
Peak popularity
2010
2025 frequency
1 in 55,099 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 2010

Declining since 2010, #3,583 for boys today.

Popularity of Kayleb since 1987

Babies named Kayleb per year in U.S. Social Security records.

571141711990200020102020Most births 2010Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1980s14
1990s199
2000s856
2010s1,114
2020s249

Meaning & origin

Kayleb is a modern respelling of Caleb that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1987, part of a broader trend of phonetic and creative variations of traditional names. It peaked in popularity in 2010, reaching its highest rank that year, but has since been in decline, as reflected in its 2025 rank of 3,583rd. The name is given to roughly 1 in 55,099 boys annually. Geographically, Kayleb has seen concentrated use in New York (NY), one of its top states. While its root name Caleb has deep biblical roots, Kayleb represents a more recent, stylized adaptation, appealing to parents seeking a familiar yet distinctive choice.

Kayleb is a modern respelling of Caleb, a name of Hebrew origin found in the Bible. The traditional Hebrew meaning is uncertain, with some proposing 'dog' or 'faithful, bold'. The Kayleb variant emerged in the late 20th century as part of a trend of creative spellings, first recorded in the U.S. in 1987.

Where Kayleb is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Kay, Cale, Leb

Variants: Caleb, Kaleb, Kayleb

Sibling names for Kayleb

Names that share Kayleb's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

K is for Kayleb, our favorite little boy.

K is for Kayleb…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Kayleb's letter becomes Kayleb's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Kayleb's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Kayleb mean?
Kayleb is a modern spelling variant of Caleb. The meaning of Caleb is uncertain, but it is often interpreted as 'faithful' or 'bold', though some derive it from the Hebrew word for 'dog'.
How popular is the name Kayleb?
As of 2025, Kayleb ranked 3,583rd in the U.S., with about 1 in 55,099 boys given the name that year. Its peak popularity was in 2010, and it has been declining since.
Is Kayleb a boy or girl name?
Kayleb is almost exclusively used as a boy's name, following the tradition of its root name Caleb.