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Isaac vs Caleb

Which is more popular?
Isaac is more popular than Caleb today: about 5,953 US babies were given the name Isaac in 2025, compared with 5,217 named Caleb.
IsaacCaleb
Meaning He will laugh dog, or 'wholehearted' (disputed)
Origin Hebrew hebrew
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation EYE-zik KAY-leb
Syllables 2 2
First appeared18801880
Peak year2007 (10,274)2002 (11,665)
In 20255,9535,217
TrendDecliningDeclining
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Isaac Caleb
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeIsaacCaleb
2020s 39,997 33,903
2010s 94,574 86,734
2000s 90,761 110,087
1990s 40,271 66,298
1980s 18,374 20,644
1970s 10,480 4,012
1960s 4,605 518
1950s 5,479 416
1940s 5,064 312
1930s 4,715 316
1920s 6,552 416
1910s 4,952 317
1900s 1,638 106
1890s 1,735 89
1880s 2,311 182

What does Isaac mean?

Isaac is from the Hebrew Yiṣḥaq, “he will laugh,” a reference to Sarah’s joy at his birth in Genesis.

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 Isaac or Caleb more popular?

Isaac is more popular than Caleb today: about 5,953 US babies were given the name Isaac in 2025, compared with 5,217 named Caleb.

What is the difference between Isaac and Caleb?

Isaac means He will laugh (Hebrew origin), while Caleb means dog, or 'wholehearted' (disputed) (hebrew origin).

Which name is older, Isaac or Caleb?

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