Caleb

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAY-lub /ˈkeɪləb/High

Meaning: Faithful, wholehearted; possibly related to Hebrew kelev (dog, symbolizing loyalty)High

In 30 seconds: A solid Hebrew Biblical name meaning 'faithful' and possibly related to the word for dog as a symbol of loyalty. Caleb has been in the U.S. top 15 since the 1990s.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningFaithful, wholehearted; possibly related to Hebrew kelev (dog, symbolizing loyalty)

Peak year2002

Total births (all-time)≈ 276,718

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

The etymology of Caleb is debated. It is most likely from the Hebrew root meaning faithful or wholehearted. A secondary theory links it to kelev (dog), not as an insult but as a symbol of devotion and loyalty in the ancient Near East. In the Hebrew Bible, Caleb son of Jephunneh is a hero of the Exodus — one of the twelve spies sent to scout Canaan, and one of only two who trusted God's promise.

Caleb was used by English Puritans in the 17th century as a virtue-adjacent Biblical name. It declined in the 18th and 19th centuries but staged a powerful comeback from the 1980s onward. It entered the U.S. top 10 boys' names around 2000 and has remained in the top 15–20, valued for its strong Biblical heritage and warm, accessible sound.

Did you know? Caleb in the Book of Numbers is one of only two spies (along with Joshua) who gave a faithful report of Canaan and were rewarded by God with entry into the Promised Land — making faithfulness the core of his Biblical identity.

Variations

Kaleb

Nicknames

Cal

Famous Bearers

★Caleb McLaughlin (2001–)
American actor, known for playing Lucas Sinclair in Stranger Things.

If you like Caleb…

Isaac— fellow Hebrew patriarch name with the same warm Biblical authority

Noah— short Hebrew Old Testament name at the very top of the charts

Eli— punchy Hebrew name that shares Caleb's understated Biblical depth

Joshua— Caleb's companion from the Exodus narrative — a natural pairing

Frequently Asked

What does the name Caleb mean?

Caleb is a Hebrew name meaning 'faithful' or 'wholehearted,' possibly connected to kelev (dog) as a symbol of devotion.

How do you pronounce Caleb?

It's said KAY-lub /ˈkeɪləb/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Caleb a boy or girl name?

Caleb is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Caleb?

Caleb has ranked in the U.S. top 20 boys' names consistently since the late 1990s.