Find out how popular the first name Kalet has been for the last 15 years (from 2009 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kalet by gender

Based on the last 15 years of data, Kalet is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 95% of people named Kalet being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 41 male babies and 5 female babies born with the name Kalet.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby girls were named Kalet in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Kalet

The name Kalet has its origins in the ancient Semitic cultures of the Middle East, specifically in the region known as Mesopotamia, which encompasses modern-day Iraq, Syria, and parts of Iran and Turkey. The name can be traced back to the Akkadian language, which was spoken in Mesopotamia around the 3rd millennium BCE.

Kalet is believed to derive from the Akkadian word "kalatu," which means "beloved" or "cherished one." This suggests that the name was initially given to children as a term of endearment, expressing the deep love and affection of their parents or guardians.

While there are no definitive records of the name's earliest usage, it is likely that Kalet was a common name among the ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, such as the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. These cultures had a rich tradition of naming practices, often drawing inspiration from their deities, natural elements, or desired qualities for their children.

One of the earliest known individuals bearing the name Kalet was a Babylonian scribe who lived during the reign of King Hammurabi in the 18th century BCE. This scribe is mentioned in several cuneiform tablets documenting legal transactions and administrative records of the time.

In later centuries, the name Kalet also appeared in various ancient texts and records from the region. For instance, a Kalet is mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known literary works from Mesopotamia, dating back to around 2000 BCE.

As the centuries passed, the name Kalet spread to other parts of the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, likely through cultural diffusion and trade routes. In the 5th century BCE, a Greek philosopher named Kalet was known for his teachings on virtue and ethics, although little is known about his life and works.

During the Byzantine era, a notable figure named Kalet ibn al-Muqaffa' lived in the 8th century CE. He was a skilled translator and writer who played a significant role in the transfer of knowledge from Persian and Indian sources to the Arab world, contributing to the flourishing of Islamic culture and literature.

In the 12th century CE, a Sufi mystic and poet named Kalet al-Din Rumi was born in present-day Afghanistan. He is renowned for his spiritual teachings and poetic works, which have had a lasting influence on Persian and Islamic literature and mysticism.

While the name Kalet has become relatively uncommon in modern times, it has left a lasting legacy as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Mesopotamian civilizations and the diverse societies that have shaped the Middle East throughout history.

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

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

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