Calum

A familiar Scottish Gaelic name with steady appeal.

Boy's nameScottish GaelicRising fast Also a pet name
#906 17in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from Scottish Gaelic.

Calum is a boy's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, the Scottish Gaelic form of Columba, from the Latin columba meaning "dove" — a symbol of peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit in Christian tradition. Saint Columba of Iona was the revered 6th-century Irish monk who helped spread Christianity to Scotland.

Calum has been rising in the United States as parents discover Scottish and Irish names that feel both distinctive and grounded in deep history. Its two-syllable simplicity and the dove's peaceful symbolism give it a quiet, serene quality.

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Popularity Over Time

Calum climbed 1741 spots in the last 20 years — from #2647 to #906.

076152227303198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Calum
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s1,343
2010s1,023
2000s496
1990s288
1980s33
1970s5

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(41 years, 19782024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Calum
YearBirthsRank
2024257#906
2023261#889
2022303#817
2021282#840
2020240#929
2019238#919
2018202#1018
2017140#1294
201692#1696
201576#1913
201451#2466
201350#2464
201249#2523
201169#1990
201056#2289
200964#2123
200863#2145
200764#2119
200643#2702
200550#2332

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

Calum has two lives

Calum, the baby name
#906boys
3,188 babies
Currently viewing
Calum, the pet name
#6104pet name
10 pets
View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19782024) · Methodology