Find out how popular the first name Calum has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Calum by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Calum is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 261 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Calum.

The history of the first name Calum

The name Calum originated from the Scottish Gaelic form of the Latin name Columba, meaning "dove." It is derived from the Gaelic word "colm," which means "dove" or "pigeon." The name first appeared in the 6th century AD and is associated with Saint Columba, an Irish missionary who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in Scotland.

Calum is a popular name in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Islands regions. It has a long history in Scottish culture and has been used by several notable figures throughout the centuries. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Calum is Calum Cille, the Gaelic name for Saint Columba, who lived from 521 to 597 AD.

In the 13th century, Calum Óg Mac an Bhaird was a prominent Scottish poet and member of the esteemed MacAn Bhaird family of bards. Calum Garbh Mac Ill'Anndrais, born around 1550, was a Scottish warrior and clan chief known for his bravery and leadership during the Scottish clan wars.

In the 18th century, Calum Bàn MacLeòid, born in 1738, was a renowned Scottish poet and songwriter from the Isle of Skye. His works played a significant role in preserving the Gaelic language and culture. Another notable figure from this time period was Calum Gilleathain, born in 1770, a Scottish soldier who fought in the Napoleonic Wars and later became a celebrated piper.

In more recent history, Calum Buchanan (1922-2004) was a Scottish author and journalist known for his works on Scottish history and culture. Calum MacLeod (1911-1988) was a prominent Scottish politician and member of the British Parliament, representing the Western Isles constituency.

These examples highlight the rich history and cultural significance of the name Calum in Scotland, spanning centuries and encompassing various fields, including religion, literature, warfare, and politics.

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 Calum was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!