Calder Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAL-der //ˈkɔːldər//
Origin: Scottish; English
Meaning: Scottish: from the stony river; English: a place name
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Calder has its roots in Old Norse, deriving from the elements "kaldr," meaning "cold," and "á," meaning "river" or "stream." This etymology suggests a geographical connection, likely referring to a cold river or stream. The name entered the English language through the influence of Norse settlers in the British Isles during the Viking Age, particularly in regions such as Scotland and northern England, where Old Norse had a significant impact on local languages and naming conventions.
Historically, Calder has been associated with various geographical locations, notably Calder in Scotland, which has contributed to its recognition as a place name. The name is also linked to notable figures, such as Calder of the Calder family in Scotland, who were prominent in the medieval period.
The name appears in historical records from the 12th century onward, often associated with land ownership and local governance, reflecting the feudal structure of the time. Culturally, Calder carries connotations of nature and the landscape, resonating with themes of water and coldness, which are significant in many cultures.
The name has been embraced in various forms, including diminutives and variations, but its core meaning remains tied to its geographical origins. The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its strong ties to the natural world and its historical significance in local lore and identity.
Famous people named Calder
In this section, you will find notable people named Calder. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Calder who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Calder who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Calder Marshall is a sculptor best known for his large-scale outdoor installations and public art projects.
Calder Pickett is a musician best known for his work with the band The Calder Quartet.
Fictional characters named Calder
The following list of fictional characters named Calder is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Calder is a fictional character from the book series The Calder Game by Blue Balliett. He is a young boy who becomes involved in a mystery surrounding a famous sculpture and a missing person.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Calder, 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 Calder. 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 Calder was first seen in the United States in 1980.
Calder has ranked as high as #3140 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Washington, and Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Calder has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Calder 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 Calder 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 Calder.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 94 | 94 | 0 |
| 2024 | 78 | 78 | 0 |
| 2023 | 113 | 113 | 0 |
| 2022 | 88 | 88 | 0 |
| 2021 | 80 | 80 | 0 |
| 2020 | 91 | 86 | 5 |
| 2019 | 84 | 84 | 0 |
| 2018 | 104 | 98 | 6 |
| 2017 | 107 | 107 | 0 |
| 2016 | 120 | 120 | 0 |
| 2015 | 85 | 79 | 6 |
| 2014 | 87 | 87 | 0 |
| 2013 | 70 | 70 | 0 |
| 2012 | 72 | 65 | 7 |
| 2011 | 83 | 77 | 6 |
| 2010 | 65 | 65 | 0 |
| 2009 | 65 | 65 | 0 |
| 2008 | 64 | 64 | 0 |
| 2007 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 2006 | 62 | 62 | 0 |
| 2005 | 46 | 39 | 7 |
| 2004 | 57 | 57 | 0 |
| 2003 | 40 | 40 | 0 |
| 2002 | 38 | 38 | 0 |
| 2001 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2000 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 1999 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1998 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1997 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1996 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1995 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1994 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1993 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1992 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1991 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1990 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1989 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1988 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1987 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1986 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1985 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1984 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1983 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1981 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1980 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
Top States for Calder (2024)
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.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 8 | |
| NY | 7 | |
| WA | 5 | |
| CA | 5 |