Calais Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kah-LAY //kæˈleɪ//
Origin: French; Greek
Meaning: French: 'the strait'; Greek: 'beautiful'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Calais has its roots in the Old French word "calais," which is derived from the Latin "calais," meaning "a place of warmth" or "a hot place." This etymology is linked to the geographical location of Calais, a port city in northern France, which has historically served as a significant maritime hub. The name entered the English lexicon through the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when the Normans brought their language and culture to England, influencing the development of Middle English.
Historically, Calais has been notable for its strategic importance, particularly during the Hundred Years' War between England and France, which lasted from the 14th to the 15th centuries. The city was captured by the English in 1347 and remained under English control for over two centuries until it was retaken by the French in 1558.
This long-standing English presence in Calais contributed to its recognition in English literature and historical texts, often symbolizing themes of conflict and territorial ambition. Culturally, Calais has been associated with notions of transition and passage, given its role as a gateway between England and continental Europe.
The name evokes imagery of travel and exploration, resonating with the maritime heritage of the region. In literature, Calais appears in various works, symbolizing both the challenges and opportunities of cross-channel connections.
While the name itself may not have a widely recognized diminutive, its historical and cultural significance continues to evoke a sense of place and history.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Calais, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Calais. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Calais was first seen in the United States in 1984.
Calais has ranked as high as #11084 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Calais has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Calais is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Calais was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Calais.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | 12 | 6 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 9 | 5 |
| 2021 | 17 | 11 | 6 |
| 2020 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| 2019 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2018 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2017 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2015 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2012 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 2011 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2010 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 2009 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2008 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 2007 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2006 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1999 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1995 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1992 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1990 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1989 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1988 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1987 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1985 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1984 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Top States for Calais
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.