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Caleb Name Meaning, Origins & History

Caleb

Pronunciation: KAY-lub

Meaning Dog or Brave, courageous Origin Hebrew Gender Boy
BOYS RANK
#58
TREND
9
Peak Years
2002, 2003, 2004
Lowest Years
1894, 1898, 1891
Energy Archetype
Cheerful & Expressive

Rank shows the name’s position among U.S. baby names for each gender in 2025. Trend shows how many places it rose or fell since 2024. Rank 1 is the most popular. Based on U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) data. Peak and lowest years are based on the number of boys named Caleb in the available records.

Fun Facts About the Name Caleb

  • An established favorite: Caleb held a place in the U.S. top 100 for 37 consecutive years, from 1989 through 2025.
  • Still popular, but losing ground: Caleb's rank fell 4 places between 1995 and 2025, while remaining in the top 100.
  • More than 324 thousand babies named Caleb: U.S. records list 324,924 babies given the name Caleb from 1880 through 2025. Even 653 girls received the name Caleb - about 1 girl for every 497 boys.

What Does the Name Caleb Mean?

Caleb is a masculine name from the Hebrew Bible, where it appears as כָּלֵב (Kalev). Its literal etymology is usually connected with the Hebrew noun כֶּלֶב (kelev), meaning 'dog.' The name may have begun as a nickname or descriptive term, but the biblical text does not explain why it was given, so the exact sense is uncertain.

A traditional explanation reads Caleb as 'whole-hearted' or 'all heart,' deriving it from כָּל (kol, 'all') and לֵב (lev, 'heart'). That interpretation fits Caleb's portrayal in the Bible, but it is not the same as the likely literal etymology and is best treated as a later symbolic reading.

The Hebrew name passed into Greek as Χαλεβ (Chaleb) in the Septuagint and into Latin as Caleb in the Vulgate. English forms follow those traditions.

Caleb Name History & Origins

In the Hebrew Bible, Caleb son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah, is one of the twelve spies Moses sends to explore Canaan. He and Joshua bring a confident report and urge Israel to enter the land, while the other spies discourage the people. Because Caleb follows God fully, he is permitted to survive the wilderness years and later receives Hebron as his inheritance (Numbers 13 - 14; Joshua 14). A second Caleb, son of Hezron, appears in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 2.

The name was used in Jewish communities in antiquity. The Greek Septuagint renders it Χαλεβ (Chaleb), and the Latin Vulgate uses Caleb. In Christian Europe, Old Testament names became more common after the Reformation, and Caleb was among those adopted by English Protestants, especially Puritans, in the 16th and 17th centuries.

English colonists carried the name to North America. It also appears in literature: William Godwin's 1794 novel Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams uses it for its main character. This literary use came long after the name's biblical and post-Reformation history. Related forms in other languages include Kaleb, though similar-looking names such as Estonian Kalev are not necessarily connected.

How Popular is the Name Caleb?

Caleb remained among the top 100 boy names in the U.S. from 1989 to 2025. Its highest annual birth count was in 2002, and people born that year turn 24 in 2026.

U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.

Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.

Explore Name Lists Featuring Caleb

Carl appears in several baby name collections based on U.S. popularity records, naming trends, and name characteristics. Explore these lists to discover other names with similar histories, styles, or features.

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Established Boy Names: Favorites Through the Years

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Falling Baby Names: Favorites Losing Popularity

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How the Name Caleb Shapes Your Personality and Life?

You are cheerful and friendly, but are apt to have an emotional life. You like to have several lines of effort going at once. You are a good talker and promoter and seldom worry over anything. At times, you can be impatient, and impulsive. You have the ability to bring an idea to completion. You can express yourself joyously and constructively. You might be psychic, but not know it. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.

You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.

✦ Caleb's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Caleb's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.
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