Calob
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 728 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Calob hit its peak of 57 births in 2001, the internet was beginning to expose parents to a wider world of naming options, and pop culture influence on baby names was at an all-time high.
Today, Calob reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Calob is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Calob is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a spelling variant of Caleb, derived from the Hebrew kelev, meaning 'dog' or, in a more figurative sense, 'faithful' or 'devoted.' In the Old Testament, Caleb was one of only two Israelites — along with Joshua — permitted to enter the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness, symbolizing unwavering faithfulness.
The -ob ending gives this variant a slightly more archaic, Old Testament feel. Caleb has been a consistent top-10 boys' name in the United States since the early 2000s, making Calob an uncommon but recognizable alternative spelling.
EtymologyShow more
Calob is built from 5 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Hebrew naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Calob creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Calob has 31+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1981.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 76 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 372 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 240 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 35 | — |
The Story of Calob
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2001, Calob is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Calob are most likely born between 1991 and 2011.
How rare is Calob?
With 728 total births on record, Calob remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1981, peaked in the 2000s with 372 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Calob by the numbers
- Would fill 15 school buses
- Meeting one Calob per day would take 2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(31 years, 1981–2021)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | #12444 |
| 2015 | 5 | #12370 |
| 2014 | 6 | #10933 |
| 2013 | 6 | #10955 |
| 2012 | 15 | #5753 |
| 2011 | 26 | #3900 |
| 2010 | 18 | #5072 |
| 2009 | 24 | #4180 |
| 2008 | 29 | #3660 |
| 2007 | 28 | #3702 |
| 2006 | 24 | #4021 |
| 2005 | 36 | #2909 |
| 2004 | 32 | #3085 |
| 2003 | 49 | #2209 |
| 2002 | 51 | #2095 |
| 2001 | 57 | #1915 |
| 2000 | 42 | #2300 |
| 1999 | 37 | #2407 |
| 1998 | 31 | #2661 |
| 1997 | 24 | #3080 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calob a boy's or girl's name?
When was Calob most popular?
How popular is the name Calob?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1981–2021