Kalib
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 1,537 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. boy's names, Kalib currently holds position #7015. It is known but far from saturated — a name that registers without repeating.
Appearing in records from 1975 to 2024, Kalib has a solid multi-decade track record without being a permanent fixture — it belongs to a specific chapter of American naming.
In the most recent SSA release, Kalib ranks #7015 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Kalib is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a phonetic variant of Caleb, from the Hebrew Kalev, meaning 'faithful dog' or 'wholehearted.' In the Bible, Caleb was one of only two scouts (along with Joshua) who gave a positive report of the Promised Land and were allowed to enter it — a model of faith and courage against the crowd.
The Kalib spelling gives the ancient Caleb a fresher, more contemporary look while preserving every bit of its biblical faithfulness and courage.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Kalib is rooted in the Hebrew tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1975 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Kalib’s 1,537 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kalib was #1771 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #7015, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 50 | #6930 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 321 | #4017 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 721 | #1816 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 386 | #2244 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 49 | #5348 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 10 | #6090 | — |
The Story of Kalib
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2006, Kalib is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Kalib are most likely born between 1996 and 2016.
How rare is Kalib?
Only about 1 in every 300,000 babies born in 2024 was named Kalib — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1975, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 721 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Kalib by the numbers
- Would fill 32 school buses
- Meeting one Kalib per day would take 4.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(42 years, 1975–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | #7015 |
| 2023 | 9 | #8570 |
| 2022 | 15 | #6001 |
| 2020 | 14 | #6134 |
| 2019 | 9 | #8521 |
| 2018 | 15 | #5907 |
| 2017 | 25 | #4175 |
| 2016 | 32 | #3478 |
| 2015 | 32 | #3471 |
| 2014 | 29 | #3657 |
| 2013 | 43 | #2740 |
| 2012 | 37 | #3081 |
| 2011 | 58 | #2250 |
| 2010 | 41 | #2893 |
| 2009 | 66 | #2083 |
| 2008 | 77 | #1886 |
| 2007 | 73 | #1935 |
| 2006 | 96 | #1545 |
| 2005 | 59 | #2098 |
| 2004 | 71 | #1771 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kalib a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kalib most popular?
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Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1975–2024