Meaning: Kalahan is a modern respelling of the Irish surname Callahan, from O Ceallachain, 'descendant of Ceallachan' — a personal name sometimes linked to a root meaning 'bright-headed' or 'strife', though that reading is debated.Low
In 30 seconds: An Irish surname-name with a friendly bounce: 'descendant of Ceallachan' (said 'KAL-uh-han'). Kalahan is a modern respelling.
MeaningKalahan is a modern respelling of the Irish surname Callahan, from O Ceallachain, 'descendant of Ceallachan' — a personal name sometimes linked to a root meaning 'bright-headed' or 'strife', though that reading is debated.
Kalahan respells Callahan, an anglicization of the Irish O Ceallachain, 'descendant of Ceallachan'. The Ceallachan family were kings of Munster in the tenth century, and the surname spread widely with the Irish diaspora. Its move to a first name is modern, and so is this spelling (said 'KAL-uh-han').
This spelling appears only rarely for boys in the U.S., well behind Callahan. Rare, Irish, and lively.
Did you know? Callahan comes from the Irish O Ceallachain, a family name tied to the old personal name Ceallachan — Kalahan keeps that lineage in a fresher spelling (said 'KAL-uh-han').
Overall data confidence 55%
References — Kalahan — Callahan respelling; Irish O Ceallachain, 'descendant of Ceallachan'
