Caleb Boy

Popularity: #58 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAY-lub //ˈkeɪ.ləb//

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: faithful; English: dog

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Caleb has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "kelev," which means "dog." This etymology is significant as dogs were often seen as loyal companions in ancient cultures, and the name may have symbolized loyalty and faithfulness. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Numbers, where Caleb is one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan.

His unwavering faith in God and courage in the face of adversity are highlighted in the narrative, establishing him as a prominent biblical figure. The name was later transliterated into Greek as "Kaleb" and subsequently adopted into Latin, which facilitated its entry into various European languages, including Old French and Middle English.

Throughout history, Caleb has been associated with various notable figures and events. In the biblical account, Caleb's loyalty and bravery earned him a significant role in the Israelite conquest of Canaan, and he is often celebrated as a symbol of faith and perseverance.

His story has been referenced in numerous religious texts and teachings, reinforcing the name's significance in Jewish and Christian traditions. The King James Bible, published in the early 17th century, further popularized Caleb's story, ensuring its continued resonance in religious contexts.

Culturally, the name Caleb has been embraced for its connotations of loyalty and strength. It has been used in literature and art to evoke themes of bravery and steadfastness.

The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Cal, which have been used in different cultures. Overall, Caleb's enduring presence in religious texts and cultural narratives underscores its historical significance and the values associated with it.

Famous people named Caleb

In this section, you will find notable people named Caleb. 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 Caleb who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Caleb 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.

Caleb McLaughlin is an actor best known for Stranger Things, Concrete Cowboy, and The Lion King on Broadway.

Caleb Followill is a musician best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Kings of Leon.

Caleb Landry Jones is an actor best known for Get Out, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and The Dead Don't Die.

Caleb Carr is an author best known for The Alienist, The Angel of Darkness, and Killing Time.

Fictional characters named Caleb

The following list of fictional characters named Caleb 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.

Caleb is a fictional character from the video game series Fire Emblem. He is a skilled mage and a member of the Order of Heroes, known for his strategic mind and loyalty to his friends.

Caleb is a fictional character from the animated series The Owl House. He is a young witch who aspires to become a powerful sorcerer and often finds himself in adventurous situations.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Caleb, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JoshuaEthanIsaacLeviMosesAaron

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Caleb. 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.

CadenGideonAsherMicahNoahElijahIsaiahZachary

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Caleb was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Caleb has ranked as high as #53 nationally, which occurred in 2002, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Caleb has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Caleb 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 Caleb 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 Caleb.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 5,217 5,217 0
2024 5,804 5,795 9
2023 5,541 5,533 8
2022 5,790 5,778 12
2021 5,973 5,964 9
2020 5,622 5,616 6
2019 6,429 6,416 13
2018 7,002 6,997 5
2017 7,164 7,154 10
2016 7,991 7,982 9
2015 8,837 8,826 11
2014 9,259 9,245 14
2013 9,628 9,612 16
2012 9,992 9,977 15
2011 10,049 10,040 9
2010 10,503 10,485 18
2009 11,014 11,001 13
2008 10,589 10,579 10
2007 10,964 10,954 10
2006 11,011 11,001 10
2005 10,919 10,894 25
2004 11,367 11,307 60
2003 11,666 11,643 23
2002 11,684 11,665 19
2001 11,204 11,177 27
2000 9,885 9,866 19
1999 9,303 9,281 22
1998 9,051 9,028 23
1997 7,786 7,775 11
1996 7,567 7,550 17
1995 6,667 6,655 12
1994 6,173 6,161 12
1993 5,805 5,788 17
1992 5,053 5,042 11
1991 4,876 4,864 12
1990 4,165 4,154 11
1989 3,803 3,788 15
1988 2,831 2,817 14
1987 2,518 2,502 16
1986 2,109 2,097 12
1985 2,096 2,083 13
1984 1,668 1,650 18
1983 1,727 1,716 11
1982 1,594 1,583 11
1981 1,435 1,428 7
1980 988 980 8
1979 860 860 0
1978 702 702 0
1977 712 712 0
1976 525 525 0
1975 415 415 0
1974 301 301 0
1973 185 185 0
1972 114 114 0
1971 104 104 0
1970 94 94 0
1969 77 77 0
1968 61 61 0
1967 36 36 0
1966 63 63 0
1965 41 41 0
1964 58 58 0
1963 47 47 0
1962 46 46 0
1961 39 39 0
1960 50 50 0
1959 45 45 0
1958 55 55 0
1957 45 45 0
1956 48 48 0
1955 40 40 0
1954 33 33 0
1953 36 36 0
1952 39 39 0
1951 39 39 0
1950 36 36 0
1949 31 31 0
1948 38 38 0
1947 44 44 0
1946 32 32 0
1945 19 19 0
1944 25 25 0
1943 32 32 0
1942 28 28 0
1941 33 33 0
1940 30 30 0
1939 30 30 0
1938 37 37 0
1937 27 27 0
1936 29 29 0
1935 28 28 0
1934 39 39 0
1933 37 37 0
1932 43 43 0
1931 25 25 0
1930 21 21 0
1929 29 29 0
1928 26 26 0
1927 43 43 0
1926 39 39 0
1925 56 56 0
1924 44 44 0
1923 37 37 0
1922 52 52 0
1921 38 38 0
1920 52 52 0
1919 34 34 0
1918 49 49 0
1917 46 46 0
1916 39 39 0
1915 39 39 0
1914 36 36 0
1913 24 24 0
1912 20 20 0
1911 15 15 0
1910 15 15 0
1909 14 14 0
1908 8 8 0
1907 10 10 0
1906 14 14 0
1905 9 9 0
1904 10 10 0
1903 11 11 0
1902 11 11 0
1901 8 8 0
1900 11 11 0
1899 7 7 0
1898 7 7 0
1897 9 9 0
1896 13 13 0
1895 10 10 0
1894 6 6 0
1893 11 11 0
1892 11 11 0
1891 7 7 0
1890 8 8 0
1889 19 19 0
1888 17 17 0
1887 13 13 0
1886 14 14 0
1885 16 16 0
1884 17 17 0
1883 16 16 0
1882 25 25 0
1881 18 18 0
1880 27 27 0

Top States for Caleb (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
CA 715
12%
TX 685
12%
FL 425
7%
NY 309
5%
PA 250
4%
NC 202
4%
IL 194
3%
GA 185
3%
NJ 177
3%
VA 167
3%
OH 157
3%
MD 131
2%
MA 130
2%
WA 129
2%
AZ 128
2%
TN 126
2%
MI 119
2%
IN 113
2%
CO 110
2%
MN 97
2%
WI 91
2%
SC 91
2%
MO 91
2%
CT 88
2%
AL 72
1%
KY 66
1%
OR 57
1%
KS 54
1%
OK 53
1%
LA 52
1%
NV 52
1%
UT 48
1%
AR 44
1%
MS 43
1%
IA 40
1%
ID 30
1%
NM 29
1%
NE 26
0%
MT 24
0%
HI 23
0%
RI 21
0%
SD 19
0%
DE 18
0%
NH 17
0%
ND 13
0%
DC 13
0%
ME 12
0%
AK 10
0%
WV 8
0%