Kalem: 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	39	4	–	#2,843
1980s	126	13	+223%	#2,737
1990s	184	18	+46%	#2,786
2000s	209	21	+14%	#3,297
2010s	286	29	+37%	#3,100
2020s (to 2025)	121	20	-29%	#3,615

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

1920s

–

1930s

–

1940s

–

1950s

–

1960s

–

1970s

–

#2,843

1980s

126

+223%

#2,737

1990s

184

+46%

#2,786

2000s

209

+14%

#3,297

2010s

286

+37%

#3,100

2020s (to 2025)

121

-29%

#3,615

The story of Kalem

Kalem is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,581 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1974, 965 American babies have been named Kalem. Its peak came in 2017, when 38 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 Kalem stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Kalem?

The median living Kalem is about 18 years old; half are between 9 and 31. An estimated 900 people named Kalem 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.

Kalem year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	9	#8,581
2024	13	#6,637
2023	19	#5,162
2022	27	#4,043
2021	23	#4,437
2020	30	#3,615
2019	33	#3,458
2018	27	#3,940
2017	38	#3,100
2016	29	#3,732
2015	30	#3,636
2014	35	#3,183
2013	29	#3,620
2012	24	#4,201
2011	19	#4,906
2010	22	#4,440
2009	34	#3,297
2008	28	#3,787
2007	21	#4,573
2006	23	#4,160
2005	14	#5,732
2004	17	#4,893
2003	22	#3,906
2002	23	#3,726
2001	12	#5,851
2000	15	#4,916
1995	17	#3,768
1990	20	#3,120
1985	13	#3,511
1980	9	#4,318
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 Kalem, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Kalem?

The median living Kalem is about 18 years old. Half of all living Kalems are between 9 and 31 years old.

How many people named Kalem are alive today?

An estimated 900 people named Kalem are alive in the United States, based on 965 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Kalem in 2025?

Kalem ranked #8,581 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Kalem?

965 babies have been named Kalem in the United States since 1974, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Kalem most popular?

Kalem peaked in 2017, when 38 newborns received the name.

Is Kalem a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Kalem rising or falling?

Kalem is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Kalem

Kalem popularity over time

The story of Kalem

How old are people named Kalem?

Kalem year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Kalem