Calhoun Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kal-HOON //kælˈhuːn//
Origin: Irish; Scottish
Meaning: Irish: 'narrow' or 'slender'; Scottish: 'from the place of the caldron'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Calhoun has its roots in the Gaelic language, specifically deriving from the Scottish surname MacCalhoun, which means 'son of Calhoun.' The name Calhoun itself is believed to have originated from the Old Gaelic "Mac Cailín," which translates to 'son of the little one' or 'son of the young man.' This etymological journey reflects a common practice in Gaelic naming conventions, where familial lineage is emphasized. The name made its way into English through the anglicization of Scottish surnames during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly as Scots migrated to other parts of the British Isles and beyond.
Historically, the name Calhoun is associated with several notable figures, particularly in the United States. One of the most prominent was John C.
Calhoun (1782-1850), a significant political figure who served as Vice President under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. His influence in American politics during the early 19th century, particularly regarding states' rights and nullification, marked a critical period in U.S.
history. The name also appears in various historical documents and literature, contributing to its recognition and use in American culture.
Culturally, the name Calhoun has been associated with strength and leadership, often reflecting the characteristics of its notable bearers. The surname has also been linked to various geographical locations, such as Calhoun County in several U.S.
states, which further solidified its presence in American heritage. The name's enduring quality can be attributed to its historical significance and the legacy of individuals who have carried it, making it a symbol of both familial and national identity.
Famous people named Calhoun
In this section, you will find notable people named Calhoun. 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 Calhoun who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Calhoun 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.
Calhoun Tubbs is a character best known for his role in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Calhoun is a fictional character in the video game series Wreck-It Ralph, known for being the main antagonist in the film.
Fictional characters named Calhoun
The following list of fictional characters named Calhoun 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.
Calhoun is a fictional character from the animated film Wreck-It Ralph. He is a heroic character who serves as a soldier in the game Hero's Duty, helping Ralph on his journey.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Calhoun, 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 Calhoun. 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 Calhoun was first seen in the United States in 1886.
Calhoun has ranked as high as #1345 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Calhoun has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Calhoun 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 Calhoun was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Calhoun
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 Calhoun.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1958 | 7 |
| 1954 | 5 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1950 | 7 |
| 1948 | 7 |
| 1944 | 6 |
| 1941 | 6 |
| 1938 | 6 |
| 1936 | 7 |
| 1928 | 6 |
| 1927 | 9 |
| 1926 | 6 |
| 1925 | 5 |
| 1924 | 10 |
| 1923 | 8 |
| 1921 | 6 |
| 1919 | 7 |
| 1918 | 6 |
| 1916 | 10 |
| 1915 | 7 |
| 1912 | 5 |
| 1886 | 5 |