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

Popularity of Kalin by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kalin is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 55% of people named Kalin being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 13 male babies and 6 female babies born with the name Kalin.

The history of the first name Kalin

The name Kalin has its origins in the Slavic languages and cultures. It is derived from the Proto-Slavic root word "kal-", meaning "mud" or "swamp". This root word gave rise to various words in different Slavic languages related to mud, dirt, or swampy areas.

In the Bulgarian language, the name Kalin is a masculine given name that is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages. It is thought to have been used as a descriptive name for someone who lived near a swampy or muddy area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kalin can be found in the "Synodicon of Tsar Boril", a 13th-century Bulgarian manuscript that lists the names of Bulgarian nobles and clergy. This suggests that the name was in use among the Bulgarian aristocracy during that time period.

In the 14th century, a Bulgarian monk named Kalin is mentioned in the "Life of St. Hilarion of Moglena", a hagiography written by the Byzantine author Theophanes. This indicates that the name was also used in monastic circles at that time.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Kalin. One of the earliest was Kalin Raykov (c. 1830-1910), a Bulgarian revolutionary and one of the founders of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (VMRO).

Another notable bearer of the name was Kalin Naydenov (1872-1965), a Bulgarian general who played a significant role in the Second Balkan War and World War I.

In the field of literature, Kalin Donkov (1889-1967) was a renowned Bulgarian poet and dramatist, known for his contributions to the symbolist movement.

Kalin Georgiev (1924-2003) was a Bulgarian composer and conductor who composed several operas and orchestral works, and served as the principal conductor of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra.

More recently, Kalin Anev (born 1966) is a Bulgarian businessman and philanthropist, known for his work in various charitable organizations and initiatives.

While the name Kalin has deep roots in the Slavic cultures, particularly in Bulgaria, it has also gained some popularity in other parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange.

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

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

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