Kalev

A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 234 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's name#6008 in 2024Rising fast

Meaning & Origin

The father of Kalevipoeg in the Estonian national epic.

Kalev is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, the Hebrew form of Caleb meaning 'dog' or 'devoted, faithful' — the dog being the ancient symbol of loyalty and faithfulness. In the Bible, Caleb was one of only two spies who returned with a positive report about the Promised Land and was rewarded with long life.

Kalev is also deeply embedded in Estonian culture as the heroic figure in the national epic Kalevipoeg (Son of Kalev), giving this ancient Hebrew name an unexpected Baltic dimension.

EtymologyShow more

Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Kalev is rooted in the Hebrew tradition, but its presence in American naming since 2000 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.

Kalev’s rarity (234 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.

At a Glance

#6008

Current Rank

234

Total births

Since 2000

2014

Peak year

21 births

Compare Kalev with another name

Popularity Over Time

Kalev climbed 2521 spots in the last 20 years — from #8529 to #6008.

First appeared: 2000Peak: 2014 (21 births)Current: #6008

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Kalev
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	65	#6732	▼
2010s	132	#6783	▲
2000s	37	#11064	—

The Story of Kalev

A Gen Alpha name

Peaking in 2014, Kalev is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Kalev are most likely born between 2004 and 2024.

How rare is Kalev?

Only about 1 in every 240,000 babies born in 2024 was named Kalev — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 2000, peaked in the 2010s with 132 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Kalev by the numbers

Would fill 5 school buses

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(21 years, 2000–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Kalev
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	15	#6008	+2 (15.4%)
2023	13	#6703	+3 (30.0%)
2022	10	#8030	-6 (-37.5%)
2021	16	#5666	+5 (45.5%)
2020	11	#7253	0
2019	11	#7403	-6 (-35.3%)
2018	17	#5421	+9 (112.5%)
2017	8	#9266	-6 (-42.9%)
2016	14	#6187	+1 (7.7%)
2015	13	#6515	-8 (-38.1%)
2014	21	#4621	+6 (40.0%)
2013	15	#5797	+1 (7.1%)
2012	14	#6148	+3 (27.3%)
2011	11	#7238	+3 (37.5%)
2010	8	#9236	+2 (33.3%)
2009	6	#11714	+1 (20.0%)
2008	5	#13568	-1 (-16.7%)
2007	6	#11654	-1 (-14.3%)
2005	7	#9625	-1 (-12.5%)
2004	8	#8529	+3 (60.0%)

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Kalev is primarily a boy's name.

When was Kalev most popular?

Kalev reached its peak popularity in 2014 with 21 births that year. It is currently ranked #6008 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Kalev?

Kalev is currently ranked #6008 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 234 babies since 2000.

Explore More

By Length5-letter names By OriginHebrew names By EndingNames in -v TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2000–2024