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Caleb vs Gabriel

Which is more popular?
Gabriel is more popular than Caleb today: about 6,569 US babies were given the name Gabriel in 2025, compared with 5,217 named Caleb.
CalebGabriel
Meaning dog, or 'wholehearted' (disputed) God is my strength
Origin hebrew Hebrew
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation KAY-leb GAY-bree-el
Syllables 2 3
First appeared18801880
Peak year2002 (11,665)2008 (13,041)
In 20255,2176,569
TrendDecliningDeclining
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Caleb Gabriel
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeCalebGabriel
2020s 33,903 41,496
2010s 86,734 105,621
2000s 110,087 119,830
1990s 66,298 54,819
1980s 20,644 32,320
1970s 4,012 24,390
1960s 518 6,159
1950s 416 3,204
1940s 312 2,039
1930s 316 1,839
1920s 416 2,201
1910s 317 1,335
1900s 106 234
1890s 89 144
1880s 182 147

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.

What does Gabriel mean?

Gabriel is from the Hebrew Gavriʾel, “God is my strength.” Gabriel is one of the archangels who appears in Jewish, Christian and Islamic tradition.

Frequently asked questions

Is Caleb or Gabriel more popular?

Gabriel is more popular than Caleb today: about 6,569 US babies were given the name Gabriel in 2025, compared with 5,217 named Caleb.

What is the difference between Caleb and Gabriel?

Caleb means dog, or 'wholehearted' (disputed) (hebrew origin), while Gabriel means God is my strength (Hebrew origin).

Which name is older, Caleb or Gabriel?

In US records, Caleb first appears in 1880 and Gabriel in 1880, so Caleb has the longer recorded history.