"pebbly place, bald clearing"
Calloway
Pronunciation: [ k-AL-ohw-ay ]
Jazz-age swagger meets timeless surname charm
Meaning & Origin
"from Galloway"
The Story of Calloway
Calloway derives from Old English or Old Welsh elements, related to 'calu' (bare, bald) and 'weg' (path, way), or possibly from the Scottish/Welsh region of Galloway. As a surname-turned-given-name, it follows the American tradition of using distinguished family names as first names, most famously associated with jazz musician Cab Calloway.
Calloway has gained traction as a given name in the 21st century, appealing to parents who love the sound of names like Callahan and Holloway with an artistic, distinguished feel.
Cab Calloway was one of the most charismatic entertainers of the Swing Era, famous for 'Minnie the Moocher' and his distinctive hi-de-ho style. The name carries his artistic legacy.
Fun Facts
- Cab Calloway (full name Cabell Calloway III) was a jazz and big band legend of the 1930s-40s
- Calloway/Galloway is also a geographic region in southwestern Scotland known for its cattle breed
Calloway in Other Languages
Famous People Named Calloway
Cab Calloway
Musician
1907
American jazz and big band musician, famous for 'Minnie the Moocher' and his energetic scat singing style
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,851
- Total SSA Count
- 87
- Cultural Origins
- American Scottish English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Calloway is also used as a girl name, ranked #5720.
View Calloway as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Calloway
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About the Name Calloway
Calloway is a boy name with American, Scottish, and English origins . The name means "pebbly place, bald clearing" in Old English .
Is Calloway a boy or girl name? Calloway is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,851 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,720. Calloway is more commonly used as a boy name.
Calloway is currently ranked #1,851 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Calloway has 3 syllables and is pronounced k-AL-ohw-ay, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Calloway include Cal and Callo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Calloway include Callum, Callan, Callahan, Callen, Callaway . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.