Cael
Every Cael since 1989 — 3,745 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cael
Cael is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,945 in 2025 with 79 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1989, 3,745 American babies have been named Cael. Its peak came in 2011, when 272 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cael stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cael year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 79 | #1,945 |
| 2024 | — | — | 60 | #2,349 |
| 2023 | — | — | 42 | #2,959 |
| 2022 | — | — | 38 | #3,163 |
| 2021 | — | — | 44 | #2,828 |
| 2020 | — | — | 51 | #2,515 |
| 2019 | — | — | 57 | #2,370 |
| 2018 | — | — | 73 | #1,995 |
| 2017 | — | — | 69 | #2,036 |
| 2016 | — | — | 92 | #1,695 |
| 2015 | — | — | 145 | #1,248 |
| 2014 | — | — | 173 | #1,102 |
| 2013 | — | — | 182 | #1,052 |
| 2012 | — | — | 212 | #950 |
| 2011 | — | — | 272 | #805 |
| 2010 | 5 | #17,521 | 252 | #840 |
| 2009 | — | — | 270 | #817 |
| 2008 | — | — | 263 | #832 |
| 2007 | 8 | #12,887 | 214 | #925 |
| 2006 | — | — | 206 | #919 |
| 2005 | — | — | 215 | #854 |
| 2004 | — | — | 175 | #959 |
| 2003 | — | — | 176 | #933 |
| 2002 | — | — | 222 | #778 |
| 2001 | — | — | 55 | #1,961 |
| 2000 | — | — | 32 | #2,812 |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | 5 | #8,281 |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Cael
- Cael Sanderson Wrestler · b. 1979
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Cael in 2025?
Cael ranked #1,945 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 79 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cael?
3,745 babies have been named Cael in the United States since 1989, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cael most popular?
Cael peaked in 2011, when 272 newborns received the name.
Is Cael a boy or girl name?
Cael is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cael rising or falling?
Cael is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cael?
Well-known people named Cael include Cael Sanderson (wrestler).