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Caleb vs Isaiah

Which is more popular?
Isaiah is more popular than Caleb today: about 5,267 US babies were given the name Isaiah in 2025, compared with 5,217 named Caleb.
CalebIsaiah
Meaning dog, or 'wholehearted' (disputed) Yahweh is salvation
Origin hebrew Hebrew
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation KAY-leb eye-ZAY-uh
Syllables 2 3
First appeared18801880
Peak year2002 (11,665)2006 (10,459)
In 20255,2175,267
TrendDecliningDeclining
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Caleb Isaiah
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeCalebIsaiah
2020s 33,903 32,963
2010s 86,734 76,320
2000s 110,087 92,786
1990s 66,298 36,586
1980s 20,644 6,709
1970s 4,012 1,578
1960s 518 727
1950s 416 1,180
1940s 312 1,194
1930s 316 1,039
1920s 416 1,262
1910s 317 845
1900s 106 263
1890s 89 264
1880s 182 304

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 Isaiah mean?

Isaiah comes from the Hebrew Yeshayahu, “Yahweh is salvation.” He was one of the greatest Old Testament prophets, widely quoted in the New Testament.

Frequently asked questions

Is Caleb or Isaiah more popular?

Isaiah is more popular than Caleb today: about 5,267 US babies were given the name Isaiah in 2025, compared with 5,217 named Caleb.

What is the difference between Caleb and Isaiah?

Caleb means dog, or 'wholehearted' (disputed) (hebrew origin), while Isaiah means Yahweh is salvation (Hebrew origin).

Which name is older, Caleb or Isaiah?

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