Kalem
A Turkish masculine name derived from kalem meaning "pen" or "reed pen".
Name Census estimates that about 937 living Americans carry the first name Kalem. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Kalem today is around 22 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kalem births was 2017 (38 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kalem. 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
937
~ 1 in 365,800 Americans
Peak year
2017
38 babies that year
Average age
22
years old
2024 SSA rank
#6,618
Tracked since 1974
Popularity
Kalem: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kalem from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 286 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Kalem remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kalem 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 Kalem during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Kalems live
The SSA's state-level files cover 3 states and territories. California, Texas, New York recorded the most babies named Kalem, while New York, Texas, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 13 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Kalem
The name Kalem is derived from the Turkish word 'kalem', which means 'pen' or 'pencil'. It is believed to have originated in the Ottoman Empire during the 16th or 17th century. The name's origins are closely linked to the rich cultural heritage of calligraphy and writing in the Ottoman and Islamic world.
During the Ottoman era, calligraphy was highly revered and considered a sacred art form. Calligraphers, known as 'hattat', were respected for their skills and their ability to beautifully transcribe religious texts and official documents. The name Kalem likely emerged as a way to honor the significance of writing and the tools used in this esteemed craft.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kalem can be found in the works of the famous Ottoman calligrapher, Hafiz Osman (1642-1698). He was known for his exceptional calligraphy skills and his contributions to the development of the 'diwani' script, a style of calligraphy used in official documents and royal decrees.
Another notable figure in history who bore the name Kalem was Kalem Ali Pasha (1670-1755), an Ottoman statesman and Grand Vizier (prime minister) during the reign of Sultan Ahmed III. He played a significant role in the modernization efforts of the Ottoman Empire and was known for his diplomatic skills.
In the 19th century, Kalem Efendi (1813-1884) was a prominent Ottoman bureaucrat and historian. He served as the chief scribe of the Ottoman Porte (government) and wrote several important historical works documenting the events of his time.
During the 20th century, Kalem Sadik (1906-1970) was a renowned Turkish painter and calligrapher. He was celebrated for his unique style that combined traditional Ottoman calligraphy with modern art techniques. His works are displayed in various museums and galleries across Turkey.
Kalem Bey (1889-1962) was a Turkish diplomat and author. He served as the Turkish ambassador to several countries and wrote several books on international relations and diplomacy, reflecting his experiences in the diplomatic corps.
While the name Kalem has its roots in the Ottoman and Islamic cultural heritage, it has transcended its original meaning and has been adopted by people of various backgrounds and cultures around the world, particularly in Turkey and other regions with Ottoman influences.
People
Kalem + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kalem as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kalem: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kalem?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 937 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kalem 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 365,800 US residents.
Is Kalem a common name?
We classify Kalem as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 955 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kalem most popular?
The single biggest year for Kalem was 2017, when 38 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kalem is about 22 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Kalem a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kalem 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.
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.