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Caleb
Pronounced KAY-leb /ˈkeɪ.lɛb/High
Meaning: From the Hebrew Kalev, 'whole-hearted; faithful' (also linked to 'dog', for loyalty); a classic name that is overwhelmingly male; here listed as a girl's; we note the leanLow
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Caleb comes from the Hebrew Kalev, 'whole-hearted; faithful'; it is a classic, overwhelmingly male name (here listed as a girl's; we note the lean). A warm name (said 'KAY-leb').
In the U.S. it appears very rarely as a girl's name; it is overwhelmingly a boy's name. Rare here, whole-hearted at the root, and classic.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Caleb mean?
Caleb is Hebrew for 'whole-hearted; faithful' (also linked to 'dog', for loyalty); a classic, overwhelmingly male name.
How do you pronounce Caleb?
It's said KAY-leb /ˈkeɪ.lɛb/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Caleb a boy or girl name?
Caleb is listed here as a girl's name, though it is overwhelmingly a boy's name.
How popular is Caleb?
Caleb is very rare as a girl's name in the U.S.