Caleb

Pronunciation: [ k-AYL-uhb ]

Boy Name #49 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

The spy who trusted when others doubted

English Jewish American

Classic Strong Spiritual Traditional Earthy

Meaning & Origin

"loyal as a dog"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"From Hebrew 'Kalev'; possibly related to 'kelev' meaning dog, symbolizing faithfulness and loyalty; the biblical Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent to Canaan"

Origin: Biblical

Language: Hebrew

"whole-hearted, faithful"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

The Story of Caleb

Caleb comes from the Hebrew 'Kalev', whose meaning is debated between 'whole heart', 'faithful', or possibly 'dog' (in the sense of loyal and devoted as a dog). In the Bible, Caleb is one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout Canaan — one of only two (with Joshua) who returned with a positive report, demonstrating the courageous, all-in faith the name embodies.

Caleb entered the US top 50 in the 1990s and has maintained steady popularity, appealing to families who want a biblical name with masculine energy that isn't as ubiquitous as Jacob or Noah. It charts particularly well in southern and evangelical Protestant communities.

In the Hebrew Bible, Caleb represents unwavering trust and whole-hearted commitment to God — even when the majority of his peers lacked courage. As a reward, Caleb was one of the only men of his generation allowed to enter the Promised Land. This story of standing firm against the crowd resonates strongly.

Fun Facts

Caleb was one of only two men (with Joshua) allowed to enter the Promised Land after the Exodus, due to his faithfulness
The name may derive from the word 'dog' in Hebrew, meaning loyal and devoted
Caleb Follows was a character in the popular book and TV series Pretty Little Liars, introducing the name to a millennial audience

Caleb in Other Languages

French Caleb

German Kaleb

Hebrew כָּלֵב

Italian Caleb

Spanish Caleb

Portuguese Calebe

Famous People Named Caleb

Caleb McLaughlin

Actor

2001

American actor best known for playing Lucas Sinclair in the Netflix series Stranger Things

Caleb Followill

Musician

1982

Lead singer and co-founder of rock band Kings of Leon, known for hits like Sex on Fire and Use Somebody

Caleb (Biblical figure)

Religious

One of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan; one of only two who gave a positive report and were allowed to enter ...

One of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan; one of only two who gave a positive report and were allowed to enter the Promised Land

Caleb Rivers Fictional

Other

Beloved character in Pretty Little Liars played by Tyler Blackburn, the loyal tech-savvy boyfriend of Hanna Marin

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #49
Total SSA Count: 5,766
Cultural Origins: English Jewish American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Calen #2750 Cale #3256

Common Nicknames

Cale Cal

Pairs Well With

Caleb James Caleb Thomas Caleb Alexander Caleb William Caleb Owen Caleb Reid Caleb John

Sibling Names

Eli Noah Joshua Elijah Hannah Naomi Miriam

Also a Girl Name

Caleb is also used as a girl name, ranked #13162.

View Caleb as a girl name →

Similar Names

Khaleb Kaleth

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Caleb

What does the name Caleb mean?

"loyal as a dog" (from Hebrew). "From Hebrew 'Kalev'; possibly related to 'kelev' meaning dog, symbolizing faithfulness and loyalty; the biblical Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent to Canaan" (from Biblical). "whole-hearted, faithful" (from Hebrew). Caleb comes from the Hebrew 'Kalev', whose meaning is debated between 'whole heart', 'faithful', or possibly 'dog' (in the sense of loyal and devoted as a dog). In the Bible, Caleb is one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout Canaan — one of only two (with Joshua) who returned with a positive report, demonstrating the courageous, all-in faith the name embodies.

What is the origin of the name Caleb?

Caleb has Hebrew, Biblical, English, Jewish, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "loyal as a dog". In Biblical, it means "From Hebrew 'Kalev'; possibly related to 'kelev' meaning dog, symbolizing faithfulness and loyalty; the biblical Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent to Canaan". In Hebrew, it means "whole-hearted, faithful".

Is Caleb a boy or girl name?

Caleb is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #49. As a girl name, it is ranked #13162. Caleb is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Caleb?

Caleb is pronounced k-AYL-uhb.

How popular is the name Caleb?

Caleb is currently ranked #49 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Caleb?

Common nicknames for Caleb include Cale and Cal.

What are good middle names for Caleb?

Popular middle name pairings include Caleb James, Caleb Thomas, Caleb Alexander, Caleb William, Caleb Owen, Caleb Reid, and Caleb John.

What are good sibling names for Caleb?

Names that pair well with Caleb as siblings include Eli, Noah, Joshua, Elijah, Hannah, Naomi, and Miriam.

How many syllables does Caleb have?

Caleb has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Caleb a common or rare name?

Caleb is a very popular name, ranked #49 among boy names in the United States.

About the Name Caleb

Caleb is a boy name with English, Jewish, and American origins . The name means "loyal as a dog" in Hebrew .

Is Caleb a boy or girl name? Caleb is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #49 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #13,162. Caleb is more commonly used as a boy name.

Caleb is currently ranked #49 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Caleb has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AYL-uhb, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Caleb include Cale and Cal. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Caleb include Calen, Cale . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.