Find out how popular the first name Kalle has been for the last 39 years (from 1977 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kalle by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, Kalle is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 91% of people named Kalle being female.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kalle.

It's also interesting to see that despite Kalle being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2015 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Kalle.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby boys were named Kalle in 2015, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Kalle

The given name Kalle has its origins in the ancient Germanic languages, tracing back to the 5th century AD. It is a diminutive form of the name Karl, which itself is derived from the Old Norse word "karl," meaning "man" or "husband." The name was particularly popular among the Scandinavian peoples, including the Vikings, who played a significant role in shaping the history and culture of Northern Europe.

In the medieval period, the name Kalle was widespread throughout the Germanic regions, including modern-day Germany, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands. It was often associated with strength, valor, and masculinity, reflecting the warrior culture of the time. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Old Norse sagas, where it appears as a byname or nickname for various characters.

During the Middle Ages, the name Kalle gained popularity across Europe, particularly in regions with strong Germanic influences. It was often used as a diminutive form of Karl or a variant thereof, such as Charles or Carl. Several notable historical figures bore this name, including Kalle Anundsson (c. 1455-1522), a Swedish nobleman and military commander who played a crucial role in the Swedish War of Liberation against Denmark.

In the Renaissance period, the name Kalle continued to be used in various parts of Europe, although its popularity waned in some regions. One notable bearer of the name was Kalle Paasterkill (c. 1548-1603), a Finnish-Swedish explorer and trader who is credited with establishing one of the first Finnish settlements in present-day Delaware, United States.

As the centuries passed, the name Kalle remained prevalent in certain regions, particularly in Northern Europe. In the 19th century, Kalle Lönnqvist (1838-1897) was a renowned Finnish artist and painter known for his landscapes and depictions of rural life. Another notable figure was Kalle Jörgensen (1880-1958), a Swedish novelist and playwright whose works explored themes of social inequality and working-class struggles.

The 20th century saw the continued use of the name Kalle, albeit with varying degrees of popularity across different cultures. Kalle Päätalo (1919-2000) was a Finnish writer and poet who gained acclaim for his works exploring the experiences of Finnish soldiers during World War II. Kalle Blomkvist, a popular children's book character created by the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, also contributed to the name's enduring presence in Scandinavian culture.

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

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

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