Calab

A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 360 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's nameRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

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Calab is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a variant spelling of Caleb, from the Hebrew Kelev meaning 'dog' — used in the Old Testament as a name of loyalty and steadfastness, since the dog was valued for its faithful companionship.

Caleb was one of only two Israelite spies who trusted God's promise and were allowed to enter the Promised Land after the forty-year wilderness period. The name carries that extraordinary spiritual significance — faithfulness rewarded across the longest journey.

EtymologyShow more

Calab first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1984. First appearing in the 1980s, Calab emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.

Its Hebrew classification suggests a path from hebrew linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.

At a Glance

Unranked

Current Rank

360

Total births

Since 1984

2007

Peak year

26 births

Compare Calab with another name

Popularity Over Time

Calab has 31+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1984.

First appeared: 1984Peak: 2007 (26 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Calab
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2010s	44	#10066	▼
2000s	151	#6063	▲
1990s	134	#4996	▲
1980s	31	#6155	—

The Story of Calab

A Gen Z name

Peaking in 2007, Calab is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Calab are most likely born between 1997 and 2017.

How rare is Calab?

With fewer than 500 recorded births, Calab is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1984, peaked in the 2000s with 151 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Calab by the numbers

Would fill 8 school buses

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(31 years, 1984–2018)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Calab
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2018	5	#12466	0
2014	5	#12370	-2 (-28.6%)
2013	7	#9807	+1 (16.7%)
2012	6	#11000	-5 (-45.5%)
2011	11	#7082	+1 (10.0%)
2010	10	#7672	+3 (42.9%)
2009	7	#10026	-5 (-41.7%)
2008	12	#6814	-14 (-53.8%)
2007	26	#3915	+20 (333.3%)
2006	6	#10862	-10 (-62.5%)
2005	16	#5069	+2 (14.3%)
2004	14	#5538	-1 (-6.7%)
2003	15	#5072	+3 (25.0%)
2002	12	#5776	-11 (-47.8%)
2001	23	#3627	+3 (15.0%)
2000	20	#3935	+3 (17.6%)
1999	17	#4181	-1 (-5.6%)
1998	18	#3867	+2 (12.5%)
1997	16	#4083	-1 (-5.9%)
1996	17	#3846	+11 (183.3%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Calab a boy's or girl's name?

Calab is primarily a boy's name.

When was Calab most popular?

Calab reached its peak popularity in 2007 with 26 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Calab?

Calab is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 360 babies in the U.S. since 1984. Its peak was in 2007.

Explore More

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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1984–2018