Caldwell Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAWL-dwel //ˈkɔːl.dɛl//
Origin: English; Scottish
Meaning: English: From the cold stream; Scottish: From the cold well
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Caldwell has its roots in Old English, deriving from the elements "cald," meaning "cold," and "wella," meaning "spring" or "stream." This etymological combination suggests a geographical origin, likely referring to a cold spring or stream, which was a common practice in naming places and subsequently individuals in early medieval England. The name entered the English language through the establishment of surnames in the 11th century, particularly during the Norman Conquest, when many Anglo-Saxon names were recorded in various forms, including Caldwell.
Historically, Caldwell is associated with several notable figures and locations. One significant milestone is the mention of Caldwell in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded landholdings in England after the Norman Conquest.
The name is also linked to various places in England, such as Caldwell in County Durham, which further solidified its geographical significance. In addition, Caldwell has been borne by various individuals throughout history, including members of the English gentry and nobility, contributing to its recognition and usage as a surname.
Culturally, the name Caldwell carries connotations of nature and the landscape, reflecting the importance of geographical features in personal naming conventions during the medieval period. The association with water, particularly cold springs, may symbolize purity and refreshment, which could have contributed to its endurance as a surname.
While Caldwell does not have a widely recognized diminutive form, its historical significance and etymological roots have allowed it to remain a notable name within English-speaking cultures.
Famous people named Caldwell
In this section, you will find notable people named Caldwell. 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 Caldwell who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Caldwell 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.
Caldwell Esselstyn is a physician and author best known for Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, The Engine 2 Diet, and his work in plant-based nutrition.
Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. is a physician and author best known for his research on heart disease and plant-based diets.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Caldwell, 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 Caldwell. 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 Caldwell was first seen in the United States in 1906.
Caldwell has ranked as high as #3272 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in North Carolina, and South Carolina.
In the past 5 years the name Caldwell has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Caldwell 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 Caldwell 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 Caldwell.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | 15 |
| 2024 | 14 | 14 |
| 2023 | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 | 10 | 10 |
| 2021 | 7 | 7 |
| 2020 | 9 | 9 |
| 2019 | 9 | 9 |
| 2018 | 10 | 10 |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 |
| 2016 | 6 | 6 |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 |
| 2014 | 8 | 8 |
| 2013 | 7 | 7 |
| 2010 | 5 | 5 |
| 2009 | 6 | 6 |
| 2008 | 6 | 6 |
| 2004 | 6 | 6 |
| 2001 | 5 | 5 |
| 1997 | 7 | 7 |
| 1992 | 6 | 6 |
| 1990 | 5 | 5 |
| 1989 | 5 | 5 |
| 1987 | 5 | 5 |
| 1972 | 6 | 6 |
| 1967 | 5 | 5 |
| 1964 | 7 | 7 |
| 1955 | 6 | 6 |
| 1954 | 9 | 9 |
| 1952 | 10 | 10 |
| 1951 | 12 | 12 |
| 1950 | 10 | 10 |
| 1949 | 11 | 11 |
| 1948 | 13 | 13 |
| 1947 | 14 | 14 |
| 1946 | 12 | 12 |
| 1945 | 7 | 7 |
| 1944 | 6 | 6 |
| 1943 | 9 | 9 |
| 1942 | 5 | 5 |
| 1941 | 5 | 5 |
| 1940 | 7 | 7 |
| 1939 | 6 | 6 |
| 1937 | 6 | 6 |
| 1936 | 7 | 7 |
| 1935 | 6 | 6 |
| 1934 | 9 | 9 |
| 1933 | 9 | 9 |
| 1932 | 7 | 7 |
| 1931 | 10 | 10 |
| 1930 | 13 | 13 |
| 1929 | 14 | 14 |
| 1928 | 8 | 8 |
| 1927 | 11 | 11 |
| 1926 | 9 | 9 |
| 1925 | 7 | 7 |
| 1924 | 12 | 12 |
| 1923 | 13 | 13 |
| 1922 | 9 | 9 |
| 1921 | 16 | 16 |
| 1920 | 16 | 16 |
| 1919 | 20 | 20 |
| 1918 | 21 | 21 |
| 1917 | 17 | 17 |
| 1916 | 14 | 14 |
| 1915 | 16 | 16 |
| 1913 | 10 | 10 |
| 1912 | 10 | 10 |
| 1910 | 5 | 5 |
| 1909 | 7 | 7 |
| 1906 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Caldwell (1947)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| NC | 5 |