Caleb
Say it: KAY-leb/ˈkeɪ.ləb/
BoyMeans often given as "faithful" or "whole-hearted"5 letters2 syllables
#108
in Ireland (2025)
#111 with spellings combined
52
babies in 2025
#92
best rank (2024)
1,039
babies since 1983
Up 19
10-year rank change
Caleb through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 52 | #111 |
| 2024 | 61 | #92 |
| 2023 | 39 | #141 |
| 2022 | 51 | #119 |
| 2021 | 53 | #121 |
| 2020 | 45 | #134 |
| 2019 | 43 | #139 |
| 2018 | 59 | #115 |
| 2017 | 43 | #142 |
| 2016 | 57 | #119 |
| 2015 | 47 | #130 |
| 2014 | 40 | #164 |
| 2013 | 38 | #171 |
| 2012 | 59 | #122 |
| 2011 | 53 | #132 |
| 2010 | 34 | #186 |
| 2009 | 32 | #177 |
| 2008 | 40 | #163 |
| 2007 | 37 | #158 |
| 2006 | 19 | #211 |
| 2005 | 17 | #205 |
| 2004 | 23 | #167 |
| 2003 | 12 | #228 |
| 2002 | 9 | #249 |
| 2001 | 14 | #191 |
| 2000 | 9 | #223 |
| 1999 | 8 | #222 |
| 1998 | 6 | #242 |
| 1997 | 16 | #184 |
| 1996 | 9 | #234 |
| 1995 | 3 | #334 |
| 1992 | 4 | #298 |
| 1990 | 3 | #323 |
| 1983 | 4 | #282 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Caleb mean?
Often given as "faithful" or "whole-hearted"
Hebrew Kalev, through Greek and Latin.
Say it right
KAYleb
The story of Caleb
Caleb comes from the Hebrew Kalev, which reached English through Greek and Latin. Its meaning is debated. It may be related to the Hebrew word for a dog, read by some as a picture of loyal devotion, and today it is often explained as “faithful” or “whole-hearted”. Those glosses describe the biblical character as much as the word itself.
In the Book of Numbers, Caleb is one of the twelve spies Moses sent to scout the land of Canaan. He and Joshua were the only ones to bring back a hopeful report, and the only two of their generation allowed to enter it. English Puritans took up the name after the Reformation.
Caleb has been used in Ireland in modest numbers since the 1990s. Its best year was 2024, when 61 boys were named Caleb and it reached number 92 combined. It is far more popular in Northern Ireland, where it was 20th in 2023, its highest place, and still 36th in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Caleb (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Caleb (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Caleb | 52 | 1,039 |
In Northern Ireland
#36 in 2025 with 51 babies. Best rank #20 (2023); 1,573 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.