Caulder
A masculine name of unknown origin, possibly a variant of Calvin.
Name Census estimates that about 126 living Americans carry the first name Caulder. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Caulder today is around 9 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Caulder births was 2018 (19 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Caulder. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
126
~ 1 in 2,720,273 Americans
Peak year
2018
19 babies that year
Average age
9
years old
2024 SSA rank
#8,405
Tracked since 2005
Popularity
Caulder: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Caulder from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 72 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Caulder remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Caulder by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Caulder during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Caulder
The given name Caulder has its origins in the Gaelic language and culture, primarily found in Scotland and Ireland. It is derived from the Old Gaelic word "calder," which means "wanderer" or "messenger." The name can be traced back to the 5th century CE, a period when Gaelic culture and traditions were deeply rooted in the region.
During the Middle Ages, the name Caulder was particularly prevalent among Scottish and Irish clans, often associated with those who traveled between settlements, carrying messages and news. Historical records from this era show several instances of the name appearing in various contexts, such as legal documents, genealogical records, and even in bardic poetry.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Caulder was a Scottish messenger named Caulder MacIntyre, who lived in the 12th century. He was renowned for his ability to traverse long distances and deliver crucial communications between feuding clans, often playing a crucial role in resolving conflicts.
Another notable figure was Caulder O'Reilly, an Irish bard and storyteller from the 16th century. He was highly regarded for his skill in preserving and passing down traditional tales and legends through his poetic compositions and oral performances.
In the 17th century, Caulder Macdonald was a Scottish Highland chieftain who led his clan during the tumultuous times of the Scottish Civil War. His bravery and leadership skills earned him a place in the annals of Scottish history.
In more recent times, Caulder Browne was a British explorer and adventurer who lived in the late 19th century. He embarked on numerous expeditions to remote regions, documenting his travels and encounters with indigenous cultures.
Lastly, Caulder Weir, a Scottish artist born in the early 20th century, gained recognition for his captivating landscape paintings that captured the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands and islands.
While the name Caulder may not be as common in modern times, its historical significance and connection to the rich cultural heritage of Scotland and Ireland remain a testament to its enduring legacy.
People
Caulder + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Caulder as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Caulder: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Caulder?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 126 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Caulder going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 2,720,273 US residents.
Is Caulder a common name?
We classify Caulder as "Very Rare". It ranks above 67.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 127 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Caulder most popular?
The single biggest year for Caulder was 2018, when 19 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Caulder is about 9 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Caulder in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Caulder a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Caulder in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Caulder still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Caulder in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Caulder can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Caulder?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.