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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kale

Kale

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAYL /ˈkeɪl/High

Meaning: Hawaiian form of Charles ('free man', Germanic karl); also a spelling of Cale ('strong', or short for Caleb); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A free man: Kale is the Hawaiian Charles — 'free man' (and a Caleb echo). Crisp, strong, and warm.
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Origin MediumHawaiian, German
MeaningHawaiian form of Charles ('free man', Germanic karl); also a spelling of Cale ('strong', or short for Caleb); routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#5317 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births18 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2008
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,368

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200819172024

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

Kale is the Hawaiian form of Charles — from Germanic karl, 'a free man' — and is also a spelling of Cale, 'strong' or a short form of Caleb, Hebrew 'devoted, whole-hearted; dog' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, strong, modern name (said 'KAYL', one syllable).

In the U.S. it appears in Hawaiian and other families. Rare, a-free-man at the root, and strong.

Did you know? Charles means 'free man' (Germanic karl) — Kale is its Hawaiian form — and also a spelling of Cale (short for Caleb, 'devoted; dog'); a crisp, strong name (said 'KAYL', distinct from the vegetable).
Overall data confidence 60%
References — Kale — routes layered

Variations

CaleCharlesKaleo

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Kale…

Cale— a fellow spelling
Caleb— a name it can shorten
Kai— a companion Hawaiian boys' name
Dale— a sound-neighbor one-syllable boys' name

Explore names like Kale

By themeuncertainhebrewgermanhawaiian
By meaningStrengthFreedom

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Kale mean?

Kale is the Hawaiian Charles, 'free man', and a spelling of Cale ('strong'; short for Caleb); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Kale?

It's said KAYL /ˈkeɪl/ — a single syllable.

Is Kale a boy or girl name?

Kale is a boy's name.

How popular is Kale?

Kale is a rare name in the U.S.

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