Find out how popular the first name Cal has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cal by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Cal is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 371 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Cal.

The history of the first name Cal

The name Cal is a diminutive form of the male given name Caleb, which has Hebrew origins. Caleb is derived from the Hebrew word "kelev," meaning "dog" or "whole-hearted." The name gained popularity after appearing in the Bible's Old Testament, where Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the Promised Land.

In the Book of Numbers, Caleb and Joshua were the only two spies who remained loyal to God and encouraged the Israelites to conquer the land. As a result, Caleb was rewarded with the territory around Hebron. This biblical association contributed significantly to the name's widespread use among various Christian communities throughout history.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cal as a diminutive form can be traced back to the 12th century. Callo, a variant spelling, was used in medieval England and Scotland. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name gained traction among Puritans in England and later in the American colonies, where it was often spelled as Cal.

Notable historical figures with the name Cal include Cal Hubbard (1900-1977), an American baseball player who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Athletics; Cal Coolidge (1872-1933), the 30th President of the United States, whose full name was John Calvin Coolidge; and Cal Ripken Jr. (born 1960), a legendary baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, known for his record-breaking streak of 2,632 consecutive games played.

Other prominent individuals with the name Cal include Cal Tjader (1925-1982), an American jazz musician and pioneer of the Latin jazz movement; and Cal Farley (1903-1967), an American businessman and philanthropist who founded Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, a renowned organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth.

Throughout history, the name Cal has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions across various fields, including sports, politics, music, and philanthropy. Its biblical origins and enduring popularity have solidified its place as a respected and recognizable given name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cal was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cal, please contact us.

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