Caleb is a name of Hebrew origin that means "devoted to God." It comes from the biblical story of Caleb, one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan before its conquest by the Israelites. In the Bible, Caleb is described as having great courage and faith in God's promises.
The name Caleb has been used throughout history by various cultures and has evolved over time. It was popular among Puritans during the 17th century and has since become a common given name for boys in English-speaking countries.
Today, Caleb continues to be a beloved name choice for parents looking for a strong, meaningful name with biblical roots. Its popularity may also be attributed to its phonetic ease and memorable sound.
The name Caleb has had varying popularity over the years in the United States, as indicated by the number of births recorded annually from 1980 to 2023.
From 1980 to 1985, the name Caleb was given to an average of about 12 babies per year. The lowest point during this period was in 1981, with only 7 births, while the highest was in 1984, with 18 births.
In the following decade, from 1986 to 1995, the number of babies named Caleb fluctuated between 11 and 17 per year. The most popular years for the name during this time were 1987 and 1993, each with 16 births.
The late 1990s saw a significant increase in the popularity of the name Caleb. Between 1996 and 2005, an average of about 22 babies per year were named Caleb. The highest point during this period was in 2004, with a notable spike to 60 births.
However, the early 2000s saw a decline in the popularity of the name Caleb. From 2006 to 2015, an average of about 13 babies per year were named Caleb, with the exception of 2014 and 2015, which saw only 9 births each.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Caleb has remained relatively stable. From 2016 to 2023, an average of about 10 babies per year were named Caleb. The highest point during this period was in 2017 and 2022, with 10 births each.
In total, from 1980 to 2023, there have been 644 recorded births of the name Caleb in the United States. This demonstrates that while the popularity of the name has varied over time, it has remained a consistent choice for parents throughout several decades.