Caleb
KAY-leb
Caleb derives from Hebrew “Kalev,” most commonly interpreted as “whole-hearted” from “kol” (all) and “lev” (heart).
An alternate etymology links it to “kelev” (dog), which in the ancient Near East carried positive connotations of loyalty and faithful service to a master.
In Numbers 13-14, Caleb son of Jephunneh is 1 of the 12 spies sent by Moses to scout Canaan. He and Joshua alone gave a favorable report and entered the Promised Land.
What the name Caleb means
The Calebites were a clan absorbed into the tribe of Judah. At age 85, Caleb requested Hebron as his inheritance - a detail that made him a symbol of vigor and determination in old age within Jewish and Christian theology.
The name entered English through 17th-century Puritans who adopted Old Testament names as theological identity markers.
William Godwin’s novel “Caleb Williams” (1794), 1 of the earliest English political novels, gave the name progressive literary associations. Its themes of persecution resonated widely.
Caleb peaked at No. 31 in 2009 and has remained in the top 50 since. In 2024, it ranks No. 49 with 5,766 births, stable within the upper tier of boys’ names for more than 15 consecutive years.
Variants include Kaleb (a phonetic respelling popular in the Southern states) and Kalev (modern Hebrew).
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Caleb
Caleb - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity
Ways to spell Caleb
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Calev | Hebrew |
| Kaleb | Hebrew variant |
| Calep | Portuguese variant |