Caleb
Caleb first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 2002, when 11,665 boys were given the name; in 2025 there were 5,217.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Caleb popular?
Declining Caleb is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2002 peak.
| 2020s | 33,903 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 86,734 | |
| 2000s | 110,087 | |
| 1990s | 66,298 | |
| 1980s | 20,644 | |
| 1970s | 4,012 | |
| 1960s | 518 | |
| 1950s | 416 | |
| 1940s | 312 | |
| 1930s | 316 | |
| 1920s | 416 | |
| 1910s | 317 | |
| 1900s | 106 | |
| 1890s | 89 | |
| 1880s | 182 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Caleb mean?
Meaning genuinely contested. Traditionally derived from keleb, 'dog' (connoting a humble, devoted servant). Others split it as kol + lev, 'whole heart,' giving 'wholehearted' — a reading that suits the loyal spy of Numbers 13-14. Because the name shares the consonants k-l-b with 'dog,' that older reading cannot be cleanly ruled out; treat both as open.
Nicknames for Caleb
- Cale
Variants & spellings
- Kaleb
- Kayleb
Names like Caleb
hebrew names with a similar feel and popularity.
Names that pair well with Caleb
Popular hebrew names for a sibling or a middle name.
Compare Caleb
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Caleb mean?
Caleb means dog, or 'wholehearted' (disputed). Meaning genuinely contested. Traditionally derived from keleb, 'dog' (connoting a humble, devoted servant). Others split it as kol + lev, 'whole heart,' giving 'wholehearted' — a reading that suits the loyal spy of Numbers 13-14. Because the name shares the consonants k-l-b with 'dog,' that older reading cannot be cleanly ruled out; treat both as open.
What is the origin of the name Caleb?
Caleb is of hebrew origin.
How do you pronounce Caleb?
Caleb is pronounced “KAY-leb.”
Is Caleb a boy or a girl name?
Caleb is most commonly used as a boy name.
Is Caleb a popular name right now?
Caleb is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2002 peak.
How popular is the name Caleb?
In 2025, Caleb ranked #58 among boys’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Caleb most popular?
Caleb was most popular in 2002, when about 11,665 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Caleb?
Common nicknames for Caleb include Cale.
What names are similar to Caleb?
Names similar to Caleb include Ethan, Josiah, Levi, Isaac.
What names go well with Caleb?
hebrew names that pair well with Caleb include James, Michael, John, David, Mary.