Cale Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAYL //keɪl//
Origin: Hebrew; Irish
Meaning: Hebrew: 'faithful'; Irish: 'slender'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Cale has its roots in the Hebrew name "Kalev," which means "dog" or "faithful." This name appears in the biblical context, particularly associated with Caleb, a prominent figure in the Old Testament who was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. The name was later adopted into Greek as "Kaleb" and subsequently into Latin, maintaining its biblical significance.
The transition into English occurred through the influence of the King James Bible in the early 17th century, which helped popularize biblical names in English-speaking cultures. In the historical context, Caleb is noted for his loyalty and bravery, particularly in the Book of Numbers, where he, alongside Joshua, advocates for the Israelites to enter the Promised Land despite the fears of the other spies.
This narrative has contributed to the name's enduring association with qualities such as faithfulness and courage. Over the centuries, variations of the name have appeared in different cultures, with Cale being a more modern, simplified form that emerged in English-speaking regions.
Culturally, the name Cale resonates with themes of loyalty and steadfastness, reflecting the characteristics attributed to its biblical namesake. The name has also been linked to various traditions and stories that emphasize these virtues, reinforcing its significance in both religious and cultural narratives.
Additionally, diminutive forms like Cal have been used informally, though Cale itself stands as a distinct name with its own identity. Overall, Cale's historical and cultural roots contribute to its lasting presence in the lexicon of names.
Famous people named Cale
In this section, you will find notable people named Cale. 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 Cale who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Cale 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.
Cale Yarborough is a former professional stock car racing driver best known for winning three consecutive NASCAR championships and his success in the Daytona 500.
Cale Makar is a professional ice hockey player best known for playing as a defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche and winning the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Fictional characters named Cale
The following list of fictional characters named Cale 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.
Cale T. D. is a fictional character from the animated film Titan A.E. He is the protagonist who embarks on a journey to find a new home for humanity after Earth is destroyed.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cale, 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 Cale. 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 Cale was first seen in the United States in 1917.
Cale has ranked as high as #1329 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, California, and Missouri.
In the past 5 years the name Cale has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Cale 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 Cale 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 Cale.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 47 | 47 | 0 |
| 2024 | 37 | 37 | 0 |
| 2023 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 2022 | 44 | 44 | 0 |
| 2021 | 33 | 33 | 0 |
| 2020 | 41 | 41 | 0 |
| 2019 | 43 | 43 | 0 |
| 2018 | 42 | 42 | 0 |
| 2017 | 58 | 58 | 0 |
| 2016 | 91 | 91 | 0 |
| 2015 | 140 | 140 | 0 |
| 2014 | 175 | 175 | 0 |
| 2013 | 180 | 180 | 0 |
| 2012 | 227 | 227 | 0 |
| 2011 | 259 | 259 | 0 |
| 2010 | 347 | 339 | 8 |
| 2009 | 377 | 366 | 11 |
| 2008 | 409 | 395 | 14 |
| 2007 | 340 | 323 | 17 |
| 2006 | 322 | 288 | 34 |
| 2005 | 262 | 262 | 0 |
| 2004 | 233 | 233 | 0 |
| 2003 | 237 | 237 | 0 |
| 2002 | 232 | 232 | 0 |
| 2001 | 194 | 194 | 0 |
| 2000 | 191 | 191 | 0 |
| 1999 | 166 | 166 | 0 |
| 1998 | 170 | 170 | 0 |
| 1997 | 132 | 132 | 0 |
| 1996 | 143 | 143 | 0 |
| 1995 | 119 | 119 | 0 |
| 1994 | 132 | 132 | 0 |
| 1993 | 138 | 138 | 0 |
| 1992 | 150 | 150 | 0 |
| 1991 | 148 | 148 | 0 |
| 1990 | 125 | 125 | 0 |
| 1989 | 120 | 120 | 0 |
| 1988 | 140 | 140 | 0 |
| 1987 | 162 | 162 | 0 |
| 1986 | 173 | 173 | 0 |
| 1985 | 186 | 186 | 0 |
| 1984 | 203 | 203 | 0 |
| 1983 | 128 | 128 | 0 |
| 1982 | 89 | 89 | 0 |
| 1981 | 89 | 89 | 0 |
| 1980 | 100 | 100 | 0 |
| 1979 | 94 | 94 | 0 |
| 1978 | 88 | 88 | 0 |
| 1977 | 102 | 102 | 0 |
| 1976 | 62 | 62 | 0 |
| 1975 | 62 | 62 | 0 |
| 1974 | 58 | 58 | 0 |
| 1973 | 43 | 43 | 0 |
| 1972 | 45 | 45 | 0 |
| 1971 | 76 | 76 | 0 |
| 1970 | 75 | 75 | 0 |
| 1969 | 60 | 60 | 0 |
| 1968 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1967 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1966 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1964 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1959 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1958 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1957 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1955 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1952 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1947 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1943 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1931 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1930 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1922 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1917 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
Top States for Cale (2023)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CO | 6 |