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Kaleb

Boy name · 426 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Kaleb: 426 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 37 births in 2015.

Kaleb is a modern spelling variant of the biblical Caleb, a Hebrew name meaning “dog” in the sense of “faithful” or “devoted” – a loyal companion. In the Old Testament, Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan and, with Joshua, urged the Israelites to trust God’s promise. A historical bearer is Kaleb of Axum, a 6th-century Ethiopian king revered for his Christian campaigns. There is no direct place-naming connection, though the root appears in the town of Kale in Turkey. The spelling Kaleb gained popularity in Scotland and elsewhere from the 1990s onwards as a fresh alternative to the traditional Caleb, offering a slightly edgier yet equally timeless feel for a boy’s name.