Caldwell Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Caldwell is of Old English origin, meaning 'cold spring'. It evolved from its early forms in Old English and is associated with geographical features. The name reflects traits of resilience and connection to nature, with no biblical relevance. It became prominent in medieval England and is recognized today as a traditional surname linked to family heritage.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Caldwell"
Pronunciation
/ˈkɔːldˌwɛl/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The surname Caldwell is derived from the Old English elements 'ceald' meaning 'cold' and 'wella' meaning 'spring' or 'stream', which together refer to a cold stream or the place near a cold spring.
Meaning
Cold spring
Language Evolution
Caldwell (Modern English), Caldwella (Old English)
Historical Usage
Caldwell gained popularity as a surname in England during the medieval period, particularly in the northern regions.
Variants & Derivatives
Calder, Caldwell, Caldwel
Modern Popularity & Image
Caldwell is perceived as a traditional and strong name, often associated with family heritage and roots in English history.
Famous People
James Caldwell, an American Revolutionary War figure, John Caldwell Calhoun, an American statesman and political theorist
📊 Caldwell Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Caldwell Name Visualizations
✨ Caldwell Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 21 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in North Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Caldwell"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Caldwell"
"Caldwell" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2197th of 7545 | 219 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2808th of 6773 | 134 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3454th of 7552 | 104 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8999th of 10718 | 11 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 11609th of 16616 | 21 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 14393rd of 24088 | 35 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 8684th of 23106 | 97 |
Regional Popularity of "Caldwell" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
66.48% 1573rd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
70.66% 2016th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Caldwell" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Caldwell"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Caldwell" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Caldwell" in the United States
The name Caldwell is most popular in North Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Caldwell has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Caldwell' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2197th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2808th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3454th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8999th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 11609th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 14393rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8684th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Caldwell' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.