Kaeleb
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 635 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Kaeleb sits in the on the rise zone of American naming: first recorded in 1994, peaking in 2008, with 635 total births across its history.
The sharp, distinct quality of its ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close — keeps the name compact and easy to pair with longer middle names or surnames.
In the most recent SSA release, Kaeleb ranks #9379 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Kaeleb is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a variant spelling of Caleb, from the Hebrew Kalev, meaning 'faithful, devoted' or possibly 'dog' (a symbol of loyalty). In the Old Testament, Caleb was one of only two Israelites from his generation permitted to enter the Promised Land — a testament to his unwavering faith. The Kae- spelling gives this ancient name a fresh, contemporary look.
EtymologyShow more
Kaeleb appeared in SSA records in 1994, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Hebrew roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
Kaeleb’s 635 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kaeleb was #4073 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #9379, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 45 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 246 | — |
| 2000s | 269 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 75 | — |
The Story of Kaeleb
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2008, Kaeleb is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Kaeleb are most likely born between 1998 and 2018.
How rare is Kaeleb?
Only about 1 in every 450,000 babies born in 2024 was named Kaeleb — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1994, peaked in the 2000s with 269 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Kaeleb by the numbers
- Would fill 13 school buses
- Meeting one Kaeleb per day would take 1.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(30 years, 1994–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | #9379 |
| 2022 | 16 | #5737 |
| 2021 | 10 | #7853 |
| 2020 | 11 | #7247 |
| 2019 | 9 | #8514 |
| 2018 | 14 | #6167 |
| 2017 | 18 | #5202 |
| 2016 | 26 | #4046 |
| 2015 | 22 | #4468 |
| 2014 | 24 | #4189 |
| 2013 | 37 | #3028 |
| 2012 | 34 | #3270 |
| 2011 | 31 | #3475 |
| 2010 | 31 | #3495 |
| 2009 | 38 | #3077 |
| 2008 | 41 | #2917 |
| 2007 | 29 | #3646 |
| 2006 | 26 | #3844 |
| 2005 | 20 | #4387 |
| 2004 | 22 | #4073 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1994–2024