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Isaiah vs Caleb

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.
IsaiahCaleb
Meaning Yahweh is salvation dog, or 'wholehearted' (disputed)
Origin Hebrew hebrew
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation eye-ZAY-uh KAY-leb
Syllables 3 2
First appeared18801880
Peak year2006 (10,459)2002 (11,665)
In 20255,2675,217
TrendDecliningDeclining
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Isaiah Caleb
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

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

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.

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 Isaiah or Caleb 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 Isaiah and Caleb?

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

Which name is older, Isaiah or Caleb?

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