Kallum
A boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 581 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Kallum peaked during the Gen Alpha era, when 90 babies received this name in a single year (2024). That era was defined by creative, boundary-pushing naming, and Kallum remains in active use today — a name that has outlasted its original moment.
In the most recent SSA release, Kallum ranks #1808 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Kallum is a boy's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, a variant spelling of Callum, from the Scottish Gaelic Calum, itself from the Latin Columba meaning 'dove.' Saint Columba (521-597), the Irish monk who founded the famous monastery on the island of Iona, gave this name enduring religious significance in Scotland and Ireland.
About 581 U.S. births are recorded for this spelling. Kallum has the same Celtic warmth as Callum with a slightly more distinctive spelling.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Kallum belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Scottish Gaelic naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Scottish Gaelic names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Kallum’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kallum has 17+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2007.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 361 | #2076 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 204 | #5496 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 16 | #9382 | — |
The Story of Kallum
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Kallum is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Kallum are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Kallum?
Only about 1 in every 40,000 babies born in 2024 was named Kallum — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2007, peaked in the 2020s with 361 births that decade.
Kallum by the numbers
- Would fill 12 school buses
- Meeting one Kallum per day would take 1.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(17 years, 2007–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 90 | #1808 |
| 2023 | 75 | #2019 |
| 2022 | 70 | #2123 |
| 2021 | 65 | #2181 |
| 2020 | 61 | #2248 |
| 2019 | 55 | #2446 |
| 2018 | 26 | #4052 |
| 2017 | 25 | #4176 |
| 2016 | 15 | #5920 |
| 2015 | 19 | #4966 |
| 2014 | 18 | #5161 |
| 2013 | 12 | #6817 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7292 |
| 2011 | 11 | #7240 |
| 2010 | 12 | #6894 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9432 |
| 2007 | 8 | #9331 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kallum a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kallum most popular?
How popular is the name Kallum?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2007–2024