Cal
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Bald, devotion; bold
Origin: Latin/Irish
Popularity: Ranked #543 in 2025 with 554 babies born.
History: Cal surged in the 2020s as an ultra-short name. Cal Ripken Jr. played 2,632 consecutive baseball games — 'The Iron Man' — the most remarkable endurance record in American sports. Three letters carrying the weight of showing up every single day. Cal means never missing a game.
Name length: 3 letters
How common is Cal? About 1 in 6,008 babies born in 2025 were named Cal, or roughly 1.5 per day in the United States.
Explore more baby names at BabyNa.me — 29,000+ names with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.
Loading name...
Frequently asked about Cal
What does the name Cal mean?
Cal means “Bald, devotion; bold” from Latin/Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Cal?
Cal has Latin/Irish origin. The traditional meaning is “Bald, devotion; bold”.
How popular is Cal?
Cal ranked #542 in 2025 — given to 554 babies that year.
When was Cal most popular?
Cal peaked in 2025 with 554 babies registered that year.
Is Cal a boy or girl name?
Cal is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Cals in registered births are male.
Is the name Cal rising or falling in popularity?
Cal has risen 395 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #937 in 2020 to #542 in 2025.
How long has Cal been recorded?
Cal appears in birth records across 143 years — from 1880 through 2025.