Calem: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–
1970s	5	1	–	#5,959
1980s	22	2	+340%	#5,891
1990s	65	7	+195%	#5,404
2000s	128	13	+97%	#4,604
2010s	139	14	+9%	#5,283
2020s (to 2025)	78	13	-6%	#5,102

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

1960s

–

1970s

–

#5,959

1980s

+340%

#5,891

1990s

+195%

#5,404

2000s

128

+97%

#4,604

2010s

139

+9%

#5,283

2020s (to 2025)

-6%

#5,102

The story of Calem

Calem is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,873 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1977, 437 American babies have been named Calem. Its peak came in 2009, when 21 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 Calem stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Calem?

The median living Calem is about 15 years old; half are between 8 and 24. An estimated 400 people named Calem are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Calem year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	12	#6,873
2024	11	#7,339
2023	19	#5,102
2022	18	#5,248
2021	12	#6,769
2020	6	#10,818
2019	16	#5,598
2018	11	#7,203
2017	9	#8,265
2016	12	#6,792
2015	13	#6,389
2014	16	#5,516
2013	15	#5,704
2012	17	#5,283
2011	15	#5,705
2010	15	#5,779
2009	21	#4,604
2008	16	#5,527
2007	9	#8,281
2006	10	#7,509
2005	17	#4,853
2004	14	#5,539
2003	13	#5,603
2002	6	#9,551
2001	12	#5,722
2000	10	#6,383
1995	8	#6,477
1990	–	–
1985	6	#5,891
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Calem, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Calem?

The median living Calem is about 15 years old. Half of all living Calems are between 8 and 24 years old.

How many people named Calem are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Calem are alive in the United States, based on 437 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Calem in 2025?

Calem ranked #6,873 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Calem?

437 babies have been named Calem in the United States since 1977, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Calem most popular?

Calem peaked in 2009, when 21 newborns received the name.

Is Calem a boy or girl name?

Calem is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Calem rising or falling?

Calem has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Calem

Calem popularity over time

The story of Calem

How old are people named Calem?

Calem year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Calem