Caleb
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Whole-hearted; faithful; bold
Origin: Hebrew — from Kalev (כָּלֵב), possibly from kel (dog, as a symbol of devotion) or from kol-lev (all heart, whole-hearted)
Popularity: Ranked #58 in 2025 with 5,217 babies born.
History: Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan — only he and Joshua returned with a positive report, demonstrating the wholehearted faith his name represents. The name was popular among Puritan settlers in early America and then faded for most of the 20th century. It made a significant comeback in the 1990s, entering the U.S. top 10 in 2009. It fits neatly into the pattern of short, strong, Old Testament names that have dominated modern naming — faithful, grounded, and distinctly American in character.
Famous people named Caleb: Caleb Sloderbeck 👼, Caleb McLaughlin (actor), Caleb Followill (Kings of Leon)
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Caleb? About 1 in 638 babies born in 2025 were named Caleb, or roughly 14.3 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Caleb
What does the name Caleb mean?
Caleb means “Whole-hearted; faithful; bold” from Hebrew — from Kalev (כָּלֵב), possibly from kel (dog, as a symbol of devotion) or from kol-lev (all heart, whole-hearted) roots.
What is the origin of the name Caleb?
Caleb has Hebrew — from Kalev (כָּלֵב), possibly from kel (dog, as a symbol of devotion) or from kol-lev (all heart, whole-hearted) origin. The traditional meaning is “Whole-hearted; faithful; bold”.
How popular is Caleb?
Caleb ranked #58 in 2025 — given to 5,217 babies that year.
When was Caleb most popular?
Caleb peaked in 2002 with 11,665 babies registered that year.
Is Caleb a boy or girl name?
Caleb is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Calebs in registered births are male.
Is the name Caleb rising or falling in popularity?
Caleb has risen 13547 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #13605 in 2020 to #58 in 2025.
How long has Caleb been recorded?
Caleb appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.