Cal vs Reese

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Cal

Boy #671 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"bald (short for Calvin from Latin Calvinus)"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

American English Scottish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#671
Total SSA Count
408
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Cal →

Reese

Girl #190 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"ardor, enthusiasm, fire"

Origin: Welsh

Cultural Roots

Welsh English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#190
Total SSA Count
1,589
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ree, Rey, Reie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Reese →

Popularity Comparison

Cal Rank #671
Reese Rank #190

Reese is more popular, ranked #190 vs #671 for Cal.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Cal ___

  • Cal James
  • Cal Thomas
  • Cal Edward
  • Cal William
  • Cal Henry
  • Cal Owen

Reese ___

  • Reese Ann
  • Reese Marie
  • Reese Lynn
  • Reese Grace
  • Reese Elaine
  • Reese Joelle

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Cal

Milo Jasper Leo Cora Nora

If you choose Reese

Blake Quinn Sage Brooke Cole

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cal or Reese more popular?

Reese is more popular, ranked #190 compared to Cal at #671 in the United States.

What do Cal and Reese mean?

Cal means "bald (short for Calvin from Latin Calvinus)" (Latin origin). Reese means "ardor, enthusiasm, fire" (Welsh origin).

Are Cal and Reese boy or girl names?

Cal is primarily a boy name. Reese is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Cal ← Full profile: Reese Browse all baby names