Kaleb Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAY-lub //ˈkeɪ.ləb//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: 'dog'; English: 'brave'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kaleb has its roots in the Hebrew name "Kalev" (כָּלֵב), which translates to "dog" or "faithful". This etymology reflects a broader cultural significance in ancient Hebrew society, where dogs were often seen as loyal companions.
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 explore the land of Canaan. His unwavering faith in God and loyalty to Moses are highlighted, making him a significant biblical figure, particularly in the context of the Israelite journey to the Promised Land.
The name transitioned into Greek as "Kaleb" and was later adopted into Latin. It was introduced into Old French as "Caleb" before making its way into Middle English.
The biblical Caleb's character traits of bravery and faithfulness contributed to the name's enduring appeal throughout the centuries. The King James Bible, published in 1611, further solidified the name's presence in English-speaking cultures by providing a widely recognized reference to the biblical Caleb.
Culturally, the name Kaleb has been associated with loyalty, strength, and faith, resonating with various traditions that value these attributes. The name has also been linked to various saints and historical figures, reinforcing its significance in religious and cultural contexts.
In some traditions, diminutive forms such as "Cal" may arise, though these are less commonly noted in historical texts. Overall, Kaleb's etymological roots and historical milestones contribute to its rich cultural resonance, ensuring its place in the tapestry of names with biblical origins.
Famous people named Kaleb
In this section, you will find notable people named Kaleb. 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 Kaleb who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kaleb 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.
Kaleb McLaughlin is an actor best known for Stranger Things, Concrete Cowboy, and The New Edition Story.
Kaleb Dorsey is a professional basketball player best known for his time with various teams in the NBA G League.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kaleb, 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 Kaleb. 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 Kaleb was first seen in the United States in 1970.
Kaleb has ranked as high as #198 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Kaleb has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kaleb 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 Kaleb was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kaleb (2024)
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.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 147 | |
| TX | 143 | |
| FL | 111 | |
| PA | 61 | |
| GA | 60 | |
| NC | 57 | |
| NY | 43 | |
| OH | 35 | |
| IL | 33 | |
| TN | 31 | |
| VA | 29 | |
| AL | 29 | |
| AZ | 26 | |
| SC | 26 | |
| MA | 24 |
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 Kaleb.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,221 |
| 2023 | 1,239 |
| 2022 | 1,342 |
| 2021 | 1,452 |
| 2020 | 1,612 |
| 2019 | 1,788 |
| 2018 | 1,925 |
| 2017 | 2,116 |
| 2016 | 2,260 |
| 2015 | 2,534 |
| 2014 | 2,768 |
| 2013 | 2,871 |
| 2012 | 2,997 |
| 2011 | 3,342 |
| 2010 | 3,428 |
| 2009 | 3,786 |
| 2008 | 3,710 |
| 2007 | 3,819 |
| 2006 | 3,704 |
| 2005 | 3,392 |
| 2004 | 3,421 |
| 2003 | 3,403 |
| 2002 | 3,446 |
| 2001 | 3,336 |
| 2000 | 2,743 |
| 1999 | 2,332 |
| 1998 | 2,194 |
| 1997 | 1,793 |
| 1996 | 1,717 |
| 1995 | 1,435 |
| 1994 | 1,329 |
| 1993 | 1,224 |
| 1992 | 1,022 |
| 1991 | 1,023 |
| 1990 | 835 |
| 1989 | 668 |
| 1988 | 407 |
| 1987 | 334 |
| 1986 | 212 |
| 1985 | 199 |
| 1984 | 144 |
| 1983 | 170 |
| 1982 | 157 |
| 1981 | 127 |
| 1980 | 119 |
| 1979 | 99 |
| 1978 | 69 |
| 1977 | 80 |
| 1976 | 48 |
| 1975 | 35 |
| 1974 | 22 |
| 1973 | 13 |
| 1972 | 10 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1970 | 6 |