Cal

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAL /kæl/High

Meaning: Short form of Calvin (from Latin Calvinus, meaning 'bald,' from calvus) or Caleb (from Hebrew Kalev meaning 'devoted to God' or possibly 'dog'); used independently as a crisp, single-syllable nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Cal is a clean, one-syllable name that works as a standalone or as a short form of Calvin or Caleb. Friendly, vintage-tinged, and quietly rising as minimalist names come back into vogue.

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Origin HighLatin, Hebrew, Old English

MeaningShort form of Calvin (from Latin Calvinus, meaning 'bald,' from calvus) or Caleb (from Hebrew Kalev meaning 'devoted to God' or possibly 'dog'); used independently as a crisp, single-syllable name

U.S. rank (2025)#543 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births554 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 7,857

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Cal functions primarily as a short form of two distinct names: Calvin (from Latin Calvinus, meaning 'bald,' a Roman cognomen) and Caleb (from Hebrew Kalev, meaning 'devoted to God' or 'dog,' a biblical scout who entered Canaan). The name has also been used independently as a minimalist given name, particularly in the United States, appealing to parents who favor one-syllable directness.

Cal was a common American nickname in the early-to-mid 20th century — President Calvin Coolidge went by 'Cal' — and it has been experiencing a gentle revival as short-form names gain standalone status. As a registered birth name it has been appearing more frequently in U.S. data since the 2010s. Figures like Cal Ripken Jr. and quarterback Cam Newton (whose real name is Cameron) have kept the Cal- sound culturally relevant.

Did you know? Cal Ripken Jr. played in 2,632 consecutive Major League Baseball games from 1982 to 1998 — the most in history — making Cal one of the most celebrated names in American sports and a byword for endurance.

Overall data confidence 86%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

CalvinCaleb

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Cal Ripken Jr. (1960–present)
American baseball Hall of Famer who holds the record for consecutive games played (2,632).
★Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)
30th President of the United States, widely known by the nickname 'Silent Cal'.

If you like Cal…

Max— shares the crisp one-syllable energy and the same friendly, short-form standalone appeal

Jude— single-syllable biblical-rooted name with the same understated, timeless quality

Finn— one-syllable Irish-origin short form equally comfortable as a standalone name

Cole— fellow one-syllable classic boys' name with the same no-fuss, strong simplicity

Frequently Asked

What does the name Cal mean?

Cal is a short form of Calvin (Latin calvus, 'bald') or Caleb (Hebrew kalev, 'devoted to God'). It stands on its own as a clean, minimal given name.

How do you pronounce Cal?

It is said KAL — one syllable.

Is Cal a boy or girl name?

Cal is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Cal?

Cal is rising as a standalone given name in the U.S., building on the success of Calvin and Caleb and the broader trend toward short, one-syllable boys' names.