Caleb Name Meaning

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Caleb Name Meaning

Fact: The name Caleb is associated with a biblical figure who was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the Promised Land.

Continue Reading…

A Deep Dive

Caleb Overview

Meaning

Faithful, whole-hearted, bold, brave

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew words “Kalev”

Religion

Christianity, Judaism

Pronunciation

/ˈkeɪləb/

Popularity

Caleb is a popular name globally, especially in Christian communities. The name Caleb has consistently been a top 100 name for boys in the United States since the 1980s​. Recently, it ranked #51 in the USA in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Traditional, Religious and Spiritual, Cute

Associated Traits

Loyal, brave, devoted, faithful

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

In the Bible, Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to Canaan, representing faith and devotion to God.

Name Day

November 14th
A Deep Dive

Caleb Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Kaleb, Cayleb, Cale, Kalib, Kayleb, Kaylob

Common Nicknames

Cal, Cale, Cay, Cub, Cayb, C-Bear, Caybs, Cale Baby, Caby, Cay Cay, Cable, C-Dawg

Diminutives

Cale, Cal, Cay, Calev

Famous People

  • Caleb McLaughlin
    (American Actor)
  • Caleb Landry Jones
    (American Actor)
  • Caleb Followill
    (American Musician)
  • Caleb Carr
    (American Author)
  • Caleb Deschanel
    (American Cinematographer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Caleb Rivers
    ("Pretty Little Liars," TV Show)
  • Caleb Trask
    ("East of Eden," Novel)
  • Caleb Prior
    ("Divergent," Book Series)
  • Caleb Brewster
    ("TURN: Washington's Spies," TV Show)
  • Caleb Smallwood
    ("The Vampire Diaries," TV Show)

Places

  • Caleb Village
    (Saskatchewan, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Caleb?

Caleb means “whole-hearted,” “faithful,” “bold,” and “brave” in Hebrew. People named Caleb are often seen as loyal, determined, and reliable. They tend to be strong-willed and courageous, embodying the essence of their name’s meaning.

What Is the Origin of The Name Caleb?

The name Caleb has Hebrew origins. It comes from the Hebrew name “Kalev,” which is often translated as “whole-hearted” or “faithful.” In the Bible, Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the Promised Land and is noted for his unwavering faith and courage.

Caleb Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Caleb in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#512021#522022#512023
Top 3 Rankings#312009#322011#322012

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Caleb

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202351
(+1 from 2022)
5488
(-282 from 2022)
0.29970
202252
(-1 from 2021)
5770
(-187 from 2021)
0.30807
202151
(+5 from 2020)
5957
(+348 from 2020)
0.31794
202056
(-5 from 2019)
5609
(-800 from 2019)
0.30324
201951
(-6 from 2018)
6409
(-581 from 2018)
0.33349
201845
(+5 from 2017)
6990
(-159 from 2017)
0.35962
201750
(-6 from 2016)
7149
(-828 from 2016)
0.36122
201644
(-7 from 2015)
7977
(-845 from 2015)
0.39380
201537
(-2 from 2014)
8822
(-420 from 2014)
0.43151
201435
(-3 from 2013)
9242
(-368 from 2013)
0.45100
201332
No change from 2012
9610
(-364 from 2012)
0.47558
201232
No change from 2011
9974
(-65 from 2011)
0.49153
201132
(+1 from 2010)
10039
(-442 from 2010)
0.49419
201033
(-2 from 2009)
10481
(-516 from 2009)
0.51017
200931
(+3 from 2008)
10997
(+421 from 2008)
0.51850
200834
(+2 from 2007)
10576
(-378 from 2007)
0.48504
200736
(-2 from 2006)
10954
(-46 from 2006)
0.49452
200634
(+1 from 2005)
11000
(+106 from 2005)
0.50174
200535
(-2 from 2004)
10894
(-411 from 2004)
0.51210
200433
(+1 from 2003)
11305
(-338 from 2003)
0.53493
200334
(+1 from 2002)
11643
(-21 from 2002)
0.55412
200235
(+2 from 2001)
11664
(+487 from 2001)
0.56439
200137
(+1 from 2000)
11177
(+1311 from 2000)
0.54037
200038
(+3 from 1999)
9866
(+585 from 1999)
0.47244
199941
(+1 from 1998)
9281
(+253 from 1998)
0.45517
199842
(+5 from 1997)
9028
(+1253 from 1997)
0.44525
199747
(+1 from 1996)
7775
(+226 from 1996)
0.38918
199648
(+6 from 1995)
7549
(+893 from 1995)
0.37675
199554
(+6 from 1994)
6656
(+497 from 1994)
0.33092
199460
(+6 from 1993)
6159
(+372 from 1993)
0.30216
199366
(+8 from 1992)
5787
(+747 from 1992)
0.28017
199274
(+4 from 1991)
5040
(+178 from 1991)
0.24010
199178
(+10 from 1990)
4862
(+709 from 1990)
0.22937
199088
(+3 from 1989)
4153
(+366 from 1989)
0.19298
198991
(+17 from 1988)
3787
(+971 from 1988)
0.18068
1988108
(+6 from 1987)
2816
(+313 from 1987)
0.14064
1987114
(+17 from 1986)
2503
(+406 from 1986)
0.12835
1986131
(+5 from 1985)
2097
(+11 from 1985)
0.10912
1985136
(+27 from 1984)
2086
(+436 from 1984)
0.10840
1984163
(-4 from 1983)
1650
(-67 from 1983)
0.08792
1983159
(+11 from 1982)
1717
(+135 from 1982)
0.09213
1982170
(+5 from 1981)
1582
(+154 from 1981)
0.08383
1981175
(+60 from 1980)
1428
(+448 from 1980)
0.07668
1980235
(+12 from 1979)
980
(+120 from 1979)
0.05284
1979247
(+28 from 1978)
860
(+157 from 1978)
0.04801
1978275
(-1 from 1977)
703
(-9 from 1977)
0.04114
1977274
(+56 from 1976)
712
(+187 from 1976)
0.04165
1976330
(+51 from 1975)
525
(+110 from 1975)
0.03216
1975381
(+79 from 1974)
415
(+114 from 1974)
0.02558
1974460
(+124 from 1973)
301
(+116 from 1973)
0.01846
1973584
(+156 from 1972)
185
(+71 from 1972)
0.01146
1972740
(+50 from 1971)
114
(+10 from 1971)
0.00681
1971790
(+42 from 1970)
104
(+10 from 1970)
0.00572
1970832
(+41 from 1969)
94
(+17 from 1969)
0.00493
1969873
(+57 from 1968)
77
(+16 from 1968)
0.00421
1968930
(+323 from 1967)
61
(+25 from 1967)
0.00344
19671253
(-337 from 1966)
36
(-27 from 1966)
0.00202
1966916
(+273 from 1965)
63
(+22 from 1965)
0.00347
19651189
(-199 from 1964)
41
(-17 from 1964)
0.00216
1964990
(+131 from 1963)
58
(+11 from 1963)
0.00286
19631121
(+17 from 1962)
47
(+1 from 1962)
0.00228
19621138
(+125 from 1961)
46
(+7 from 1961)
0.00219
19611263
(-165 from 1960)
39
(-11 from 1960)
0.00181
19601098
(+58 from 1959)
50
(+5 from 1959)
0.00231
19591156
(-130 from 1958)
45
(-10 from 1958)
0.00208
19581026
(+124 from 1957)
55
(+10 from 1957)
0.00255
19571150
(-68 from 1956)
45
(-4 from 1956)
0.00206
19561082
(+99 from 1955)
49
(+9 from 1955)
0.00228
19551181
(+130 from 1954)
40
(+7 from 1954)
0.00191
19541311
(-66 from 1953)
33
(-3 from 1953)
0.00159
19531245
(-63 from 1952)
36
(-3 from 1952)
0.00180
19521182
(-32 from 1951)
39
No change from 1951
0.00198
19511150
(+51 from 1950)
39
(+3 from 1950)
0.00204
19501201
(+95 from 1949)
36
(+5 from 1949)
0.00198
19491296
(-136 from 1948)
31
(-7 from 1948)
0.00172
19481160
(-67 from 1947)
38
(-6 from 1947)
0.00213
19471093
(+143 from 1946)
44
(+12 from 1946)
0.00237
19461236
(+300 from 1945)
32
(+13 from 1945)
0.00194
19451536
(-207 from 1944)
19
(-6 from 1944)
0.00139
19441329
(-115 from 1943)
25
(-7 from 1943)
0.00180
19431214
(+102 from 1942)
32
(+4 from 1942)
0.00220
19421316
(-164 from 1941)
28
(-5 from 1941)
0.00199
19411152
(+75 from 1940)
33
(+3 from 1940)
0.00263
19401227
(-33 from 1939)
30
No change from 1939
0.00253
19391194
(-132 from 1938)
30
(-7 from 1938)
0.00265
19381062
(+226 from 1937)
37
(+10 from 1937)
0.00326
19371288
(-63 from 1936)
27
(-2 from 1936)
0.00247
19361225
(+47 from 1935)
29
(+1 from 1935)
0.00272
19351272
(-234 from 1934)
28
(-11 from 1934)
0.00262
19341038
(+40 from 1933)
39
(+2 from 1933)
0.00367
19331078
(-74 from 1932)
37
(-6 from 1932)
0.00363
19321004
(+390 from 1931)
43
(+18 from 1931)
0.00400
19311394
(+208 from 1930)
25
(+4 from 1930)
0.00234
19301602
(-290 from 1929)
21
(-8 from 1929)
0.00186
19291312
(+136 from 1928)
29
(+3 from 1928)
0.00262
19281448
(-368 from 1927)
26
(-17 from 1927)
0.00228
19271080
(+64 from 1926)
43
(+4 from 1926)
0.00370
19261144
(-244 from 1925)
39
(-17 from 1925)
0.00340
1925900
(+171 from 1924)
56
(+12 from 1924)
0.00486
19241071
(+106 from 1923)
44
(+7 from 1923)
0.00376
19231177
(-200 from 1922)
37
(-15 from 1922)
0.00327
1922977
(+182 from 1921)
52
(+14 from 1921)
0.00462
19211159
(-199 from 1920)
38
(-14 from 1920)
0.00334
1920960
(+247 from 1919)
52
(+18 from 1919)
0.00472
19191207
(-258 from 1918)
34
(-15 from 1918)
0.00335
1918949
(-3 from 1917)
49
(+3 from 1917)
0.00467
1917946
(+81 from 1916)
46
(+7 from 1916)
0.00480
19161027
(-12 from 1915)
39
No change from 1915
0.00422
19151015
(-108 from 1914)
39
(+3 from 1914)
0.00443
1914907
(+116 from 1913)
36
(+12 from 1913)
0.00527
19131023
No change from 1912
24
(+4 from 1912)
0.00448
19121023
(-167 from 1911)
20
(+5 from 1911)
0.00443
1911856
(-74 from 1910)
15
No change from 1910
0.00621
1910782
(-26 from 1909)
15
(+1 from 1909)
0.00719
1909756
(+265 from 1908)
14
(+6 from 1908)
0.00792
19081021
(-155 from 1907)
8
(-2 from 1907)
0.00481
1907866
(-226 from 1906)
10
(-4 from 1906)
0.00631
1906640
(+196 from 1905)
14
(+5 from 1905)
0.00972
1905836
(-76 from 1904)
9
(-1 from 1904)
0.00628
1904760
(-64 from 1903)
10
(-1 from 1903)
0.00722
1903696
(-9 from 1902)
11
No change from 1902
0.00851
1902687
(+92 from 1901)
11
(+3 from 1901)
0.00829
1901779
(+6 from 1900)
8
(-3 from 1900)
0.00692
1900785
(+72 from 1899)
11
(+4 from 1899)
0.00678
1899857
(+28 from 1898)
7
No change from 1898
0.00608
1898885
(-160 from 1897)
7
(-2 from 1897)
0.00530
1897725
(-133 from 1896)
9
(-4 from 1896)
0.00738
1896592
(+93 from 1895)
13
(+3 from 1895)
0.01007
1895685
(+269 from 1894)
10
(+4 from 1894)
0.00790
1894954
(-339 from 1893)
6
(-5 from 1893)
0.00480
1893615
(+26 from 1892)
11
No change from 1892
0.00909
1892641
(+125 from 1891)
11
(+4 from 1891)
0.00837
1891766
(-27 from 1890)
7
(-1 from 1890)
0.00641
1890739
(-324 from 1889)
8
(-11 from 1889)
0.00668
1889415
(+49 from 1888)
19
(+2 from 1888)
0.01596
1888464
(+24 from 1887)
17
(+4 from 1887)
0.01309
1887488
(+3 from 1886)
13
(-1 from 1886)
0.01189
1886491
(-29 from 1885)
14
(-2 from 1885)
0.01176
1885462
(-12 from 1884)
16
(-1 from 1884)
0.01380
1884450
(-2 from 1883)
17
(+1 from 1883)
0.01385
1883448
(-93 from 1882)
16
(-9 from 1882)
0.01423
1882355
(+40 from 1881)
25
(+7 from 1881)
0.02049
1881395
(-70 from 1880)
18
(-9 from 1880)
0.01662
1880325
First SSA data recorded
27
First SSA data recorded
0.02280

American States Popularity Rankings for Caleb

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#552021#462022#452023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#552021#502022#492023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#452021#462022#512023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#612021#732022#702023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#492021#482022#432023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#472021#472022#602023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#522021#722022#702023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#562021#612022#732023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#432021#432022#512023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#552021#512022#552023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#462021#932022#662023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#672021#892022#442023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#352021#422022#462023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#902021#1172022#1012023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#642021#542022#402023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#362021#612022#512023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#642021#772022#602023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1092021#812022#922023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#482021#552022#642023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#1042021#872022#1302023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#692021#812022#702023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#532021#732022#682023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#562021#592022#712023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#362021#642022#622023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#292021#102022#262023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#442021#412022#412023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#502021#1032022#1062023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1262021#992022#852023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#622021#692022#642023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#842021#652022#1092023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#462021#422022#522023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#872021#742022#682023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#672021#702022#902023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1282021#702022#1442023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1072021#822022#842023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#332021#402022#382023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#912021#902022#1062023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#812021#1342022#1342023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#532021#622022#342023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#682021#492022#642023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#702021#342022#592023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#912021#322022#292023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#552021#892022#732023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1532021#942022#772023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#382021#472022#532023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#482021#1452022#1052023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#672021#512022#1062023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#232021#192022#522023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#312021#392022#432023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#452021#482022#452023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#762021#592022#1002023

Popularity Rankings for Caleb in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#692016#402019#22021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#262021#232022#202023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#302021#422022#342023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#372021#312022#502023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#332021#412022#352023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#522021#642022#452023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#542020#552021#642022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#892019#852020#762021

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#912017#942018#912020

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1212021#1202022#1422023

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#1512020#1252021

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1812019#1992020#1642021

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#2002015

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4622021#4302022#3272023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#5512020#5902021#6862022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7292013#6632016#5992017

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#9232023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Caleb a Name for Boys or Girls?

Caleb is traditionally a name for boys.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Caleb

Caleb in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Caleb McLaughlin (Actor, born 2001): An American actor known for his role as Lucas Sinclair in the popular TV series "Stranger Things."
  • Caleb Landry Jones (Actor, born 1989): An American actor known for his roles in films such as "Get Out" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri."
  • Caleb Followill (Musician, born 1982): Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the American rock band Kings of Leon.
  • Caleb Carr (Author, born 1955): An American military historian and author, best known for his novel "The Alienist."
  • Caleb Deschanel (Cinematographer, born 1944): An American cinematographer and film director known for his work on "The Passion of the Christ."
  • Caleb Bradham (Pharmacist, 1867-1934): An American inventor of Pepsi-Cola, originally formulated as "Brad's Drink."
  • Caleb Ewan (Cyclist, born 1994): An Australian professional road and track cyclist known for his sprinting abilities.
  • Caleb Dressel (Swimmer, born 1996): An American swimmer who has won multiple Olympic gold medals.
  • Caleb Swanigan (Basketball Player, 1997-2022): An American professional basketball player who played for the Portland Trail Blazers.
  • Caleb Cushing (Politician, 1800-1879): An American diplomat and politician who served as U.S. Attorney General.
  • Caleb Rivers ("Pretty Little Liars," 2010 TV Show): A key character known for his tech-savvy skills and romantic relationship with Hanna Marin.
  • Caleb Trask ("East of Eden," 1952 Novel): A complex character in John Steinbeck's classic novel, dealing with themes of good and evil.
  • Caleb Prior ("Divergent," 2011 Book Series): The brother of the protagonist, Tris, who plays a significant role in the series.
  • Caleb Brewster ("TURN: Washington's Spies," 2014 TV Show): A historical figure and character known for his role as a spy during the American Revolution.
  • Caleb Smallwood ("The Vampire Diaries," 2009 TV Show): A character involved in the supernatural events of the series.
  • Caleb ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," 1997 TV Show): A villainous character who appears in the later seasons of the series.
  • Caleb ("W.I.T.C.H.," 2001 Comic Book Series): The leader of the rebel forces in this fantasy series.
  • Caleb Temple ("American Gothic," 1995 TV Show): A central character in this horror series.
  • Caleb Witting ("Sarah, Plain and Tall," 1985 Book): A character in this children's book and its adaptations.
  • Caleb Williams ("Caleb Williams," 1794 Novel): The protagonist in William Godwin's novel, exploring themes of political justice.
  • Caleb Village (Saskatchewan, Canada): A rural village in Saskatchewan, characterized by its agricultural community and wide open spaces.

Similar Names to Caleb