Caleb
From Late Latin Caleb, Calebus, from Koine Greek Χάλεβ (Kháleb), from Biblical Hebrew כָּלֵב (Kālēḇ), possibly related to כֶּלֶב (keleḇ, “dog”), referring to the…
Every Caleb since 1880 — 325,003 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Caleb
Caleb is a top-100 name for boys in the United States, ranked #58 in 2025 with 5,217 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 325,003 American babies have been named Caleb. Its peak came in 2002, when 11,684 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Caleb stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Caleb 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 | — | — | 5,217 | #58 |
| 2024 | 9 | #10,431 | 5,795 | #49 |
| 2023 | 8 | #11,371 | 5,533 | #51 |
| 2022 | 12 | #8,632 | 5,778 | #52 |
| 2021 | 9 | #10,448 | 5,964 | #51 |
| 2020 | 6 | #13,773 | 5,616 | #56 |
| 2019 | 13 | #8,223 | 6,416 | #51 |
| 2018 | 5 | #16,143 | 6,997 | #45 |
| 2017 | 10 | #10,107 | 7,154 | #50 |
| 2016 | 9 | #11,050 | 7,982 | #44 |
| 2015 | 11 | #9,598 | 8,826 | #37 |
| 2014 | 14 | #8,139 | 9,245 | #35 |
| 2013 | 16 | #7,457 | 9,612 | #32 |
| 2012 | 15 | #7,891 | 9,977 | #32 |
| 2011 | 9 | #11,352 | 10,040 | #32 |
| 2010 | 18 | #6,969 | 10,485 | #32 |
| 2009 | 13 | #8,994 | 11,001 | #31 |
| 2008 | 10 | #10,945 | 10,579 | #34 |
| 2007 | 10 | #10,969 | 10,954 | #36 |
| 2006 | 10 | #10,736 | 11,001 | #34 |
| 2005 | 25 | #5,137 | 10,894 | #35 |
| 2004 | 60 | #2,718 | 11,307 | #33 |
| 2003 | 23 | #5,267 | 11,643 | #34 |
| 2002 | 19 | #5,940 | 11,665 | #35 |
| 2001 | 27 | #4,467 | 11,177 | #37 |
| 2000 | 19 | #5,743 | 9,866 | #38 |
| 1995 | 12 | #7,124 | 6,655 | #54 |
| 1990 | 11 | #7,376 | 4,154 | #88 |
| 1985 | 13 | #5,400 | 2,083 | #136 |
| 1980 | 8 | #7,504 | 980 | #235 |
| 1975 | — | — | 415 | #381 |
| 1970 | — | — | 94 | #832 |
| 1965 | — | — | 41 | #1,193 |
| 1960 | — | — | 50 | #1,100 |
| 1955 | — | — | 40 | #1,185 |
| 1950 | — | — | 36 | #1,205 |
| 1945 | — | — | 19 | #1,541 |
| 1940 | — | — | 30 | #1,229 |
| 1935 | — | — | 28 | #1,274 |
| 1930 | — | — | 21 | #1,608 |
| 1925 | — | — | 56 | #904 |
| 1920 | — | — | 52 | #960 |
| 1915 | — | — | 39 | #1,018 |
| 1910 | — | — | 15 | #787 |
| 1905 | — | — | 9 | #847 |
| 1900 | — | — | 11 | #794 |
| 1895 | — | — | 10 | #696 |
| 1890 | — | — | 8 | #754 |
| 1885 | — | — | 16 | #465 |
| 1880 | — | — | 27 | #327 |
Famous people named Caleb
- Caleb Deschanel Film director · b. 1944
- Caleb Cushing Politician · 1800–1879
- Caleb Strong Politician · 1745–1819
- Caleb Landry Jones Actor · b. 1989
- Caleb McLaughlin Actor · b. 2001
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Caleb mean?
From Late Latin Caleb, Calebus, from Koine Greek Χάλεβ (Kháleb), from Biblical Hebrew כָּלֵב (Kālēḇ), possibly related to כֶּלֶב (keleḇ, “dog”), referring to the unconditional devotion of dogs to their masters.
How popular is the name Caleb in 2025?
Caleb ranked #58 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5,217 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Caleb?
325,003 babies have been named Caleb in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Caleb most popular?
Caleb peaked in 2002, when 11,684 newborns received the name.
Is Caleb a boy or girl name?
Caleb is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Caleb rising or falling?
Caleb is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Caleb?
Well-known people named Caleb include Caleb Deschanel (film director), Caleb Cushing (politician), Caleb Strong (politician).