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Gabriel vs Caleb

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.
GabrielCaleb
Meaning God is my strength dog, or 'wholehearted' (disputed)
Origin Hebrew hebrew
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation GAY-bree-el KAY-leb
Syllables 3 2
First appeared18801880
Peak year2008 (13,041)2002 (11,665)
In 20256,5695,217
TrendDecliningDeclining
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Gabriel Caleb
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

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

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gabriel or Caleb 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 Gabriel and Caleb?

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

Which name is older, Gabriel or Caleb?

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