Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Caleb has Hebrew origins, meaning 'faithful' or 'devoted.' It has evolved through various languages, maintaining its roots while becoming a popular choice in English-speaking cultures. Caleb is often associated with positive traits such as loyalty and courage, particularly due to its biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkeɪ.ləb/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Caleb is derived from the Hebrew word 'kelev,' meaning 'dog,' which can symbolize loyalty and faithfulness. In the Bible, Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan.
Meaning
faithful, devoted, whole-hearted
Language Evolution
Hebrew: כָּלֵב (Kalev), Greek: Καλέβ (Kaleb), Latin: Caleb
Biblical Background
Caleb is a significant biblical figure, known for his unwavering faith and courage. He is mentioned in the Book of Numbers and the Book of Joshua.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, particularly among Puritans who favored biblical names.
Variants & Derivatives
Kaleb, Kalev, Cal, Cale
Modern Popularity & Image
Caleb is currently viewed as a strong, traditional name that carries a sense of loyalty and integrity. It remains popular in various cultures and communities.
Famous People
Caleb Smith: An American politician, Caleb McLaughlin: An American actor known for his role in 'Stranger Things', Caleb Followill: The lead singer of the band Kings of Leon
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 11,684 peak births in 2002
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (8 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 8 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 990th of 7545 | 773 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1264th of 6773 | 538 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1160th of 7552 | 802 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 450th of 10718 | 5,271 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 89th of 16616 | 59,879 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 37th of 24088 | 166,662 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 43rd of 23106 | 84,847 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 17350th of 19264 | 8 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6091st of 27321 | 209 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 6159th of 35406 | 314 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9797th of 30306 | 122 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
69.91% 964th/1379 |
50.38% 1192nd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
71.21% 1108th/1556 |
67.49% 1588th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
37.78% 918th/2430 |
56.85% 1622nd/2853 |
45.01% 1249th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
12.73% 374th/2937 |
14.87% 518th/3483 |
14.92% 525th/3518 |
8.70% 352nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
1.98% 73rd/3685 |
3.11% 139th/4475 |
1.37% 71st/5194 |
1.98% 125th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.63% 29th/4582 |
1.20% 62nd/5164 |
0.36% 26th/7313 |
0.68% 51st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
1.15% 46th/3984 |
1.05% 47th/4487 |
0.56% 38th/6822 |
0.80% 50th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - 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) |
- | - |
56.88% 4160th/7313 |
91.57% 6834th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity 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 in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Alaska across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) 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 gradually declining. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been falling for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too rising for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 990th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1264th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1160th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 450th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 89th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 37th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 43rd out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 17350th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6091st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6159th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 9797th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
