Caleb

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Meaning/History
Usage
Pronunciation
Famous Bearer
Personal Impression
Other
0
The Hebrew/Arabic pronunciation is KEH-lib. Before I found this site, I thought this name sounded like dog, which now I know it did. Arabic takes up a lot of space in this world, and since I can speak it, I would laugh just calling Caleb with my voice. I mean, it CLEARLY means dog. I will not use this name, and this is all personal; all you Calebs are amazing people!
― nylonpanda  9/21/2019
0
My friend Paul Chirila despises this name, I don't know why.
― harvvv  9/18/2019
1
Popular nowadays.
― RHAWK3935  7/31/2019
1
Add Usage: Dutch (Modern), German (Modern), Swedish (Modern), Danish (Modern), Norwegian (Modern), French (Modern)

Pronounced: KA-ləp (Dutch, German), KA-lehb (Swedish), KA-LEHB (French)
― RHAWK3935  7/31/2019
0
Caleb (meaning a dog) the Kenite:

1. Kaf is the picture of the hand and can mean to cover, to open or to allow.

2. Lamed is the picture of the shepherd’s staff and means to have authority or control.

3. Beyt is the picture of the tent and means the house, the family, or the dwelling place, and can refer to the Son of God.

So the first mystery in the name Caleb is that he is one who (Kaf) allows himself to come under the (Lamed) authority of (Beyt) the Son of God. He chooses to be in the tent, to be part of the family of Yahweh.

Overstand the character and meaning of Caleb:

A dog\canine is one who is bound (bonded) to his master, and is one who wears a collare Latin for "chain for the neck".

The scribe wrote in 2 Chronicles Chapter 16 verse 9:

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew hims.
― dericlewis87  6/23/2019
2
Kaleb doesn't mean dog. I am a Hebrew speaker and dog is Kelev, not Kaleb.
Kaleb means "like the heart" (ka-like, as. Leb-heart).
― Anonymous User  3/17/2019
-1
Calub is better than Caleb.
― caluby  2/26/2019
4
This is the most beautiful and majestic name that has ever graced my ears, I shall name all 12 of my children this.
― thudspeth32  2/25/2019
1
This is Alden Ehrenreich's middle name.
― Anonymous User  2/9/2019
-9
I prefer Caleb on a girl rather than a boy! I don’t like it on a boy because it sounds too close to Kayla. I love it on a girl and I hope to pair with with a middle name like Lynn.
― Anonymous User  11/19/2018
1
I like this name. I think it's better as a middle name though.
― Luvbug86  10/24/2018
3
In 2018, 8 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Caleb who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 270th most common male first name for living U.S. citizens.
― Anonymous User  10/15/2018
-9
If this is your name, I'll bet you have tattoos all over yourself and died your hair whatever funky color.
― Prime Meridian  6/20/2018
2
Hi! My mom is so cool and named me Caleb. Did you know that this was one of the 12 spies in the bible?
― Caleb05  3/26/2018
1
Caleb Logan was part of a family vlogging channel 'Bratayley.'
― Anonymous User  2/5/2018
1
Teachers call my friend Kah-leeb. I call him that to annoy him.
― Badger18  2/4/2018
2
Caleb McLaughlin, actor on the Netflix original 'Stranger Things'.
― salty seas  9/17/2017
2
This is my name and people that know me like my name. I was surprised to see the hate it's got on this forum! In every school I attended, I was the only Caleb and all the students knew me because my name was special. As far as I know, it's a good name and I learned to love it!
― calebkross  1/7/2017
0
Love this name. It was my only option for my son's name when he was born but I did change the spelling of it slightly, his name is spelt Calib. I've never seen anyone else with it spelt this way.
― Anonymous User  10/17/2016
0
This is my daughter's name but she goes by Libby. I know a lot of people don't like masculine names on a girl but it suits her, she's never been made fun of and I've received nothing but positive comments so far.

Also, if you research the name it doesn't necessarily mean "dog" and in fact, there's no consensus on the etymology but another theory is that it means "whole hearted".
― Anonymous User  8/4/2016
-4
I just don't like this name at all. The fact of how it's "dog" in arabic puts me off a lot. The name sounds really disgusting too.
― Anonymous User  7/7/2016
-9
This name is really gross, and I can't imagine it on someone who's over the age of 10.
― Anonymous User  6/29/2016
1
I really like this name, but wouldn't use it due to how common it's becoming. I have also heard quite a few Calebs getting the nickname "Cale," and seeing as that makes me think of kale, I dislike it, ha ha.
― RoseTintsMyWorld  5/11/2016
2
There's a Caleb in Divergent! And Caleb Logan was on Bratayley, the YouTube channel. He actually passed away on October 1st, 2015. He was only 13 years old though :( I think Caleb is a wonderful name, and I don't get why it's getting so much hate. :)
― phan-cookiez  11/26/2015
0
In Wales we pronounce this with a 'c' for car as opposed to the English or Hebrew version pronunciation said with a 'k'.
― Welsh lady  9/3/2015
3
There's no difference between the c in car and the k.

In Wales you pronounce it kal-eb rather than kail-eb.
― CaraJane  1/27/2016
1
Caleb Prior is the older brother of Tris Prior in Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy.
BTW, I love this name!
― katris.priordeen  8/17/2015
4
Hello! As a third culture person speaking fluent Hebrew I would like to point some things out:

Things this name does not mean at all:
'dog' 'courageous' 'faithful' 'cage/trapper' 'bold'

Things this name DOES mean:

'all heart' - as in, a simplification of a person who wears his heart on his sleeve. It is a fusion of two words כולו לב (kulo lev). The first word relates specifically to a personification of the word 'whole' or 'entire' which means it doesn't simply say 'all' but 'all of a person'. The second word means 'heart'.

The Hebrew word for 'dog'(kelev) כלב is spelled exactly the same as Caleb, but the vowel on the first letter makes a different sound. Thus, both of them are not at all related (kAlev =/= kElev).
― tane  4/28/2015
1
One usage of this name or word (kaf-lamed-bet in Hebrew) is found in Deuteronomy 23:18 in connection with verse 17. According to Koehler & Baumgartner's Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, one meaning of the word is "(ritual) paederaste," or, prepubescent sexual abuse of boys as catamites.

Moses, at 120 years old, on the east side of the River Jordan, prior to the crossing over of the children of Israel into the Promised Land, warned that Israelites must not imitate the pagan practices of the Canaanites. It was common for some young pagan children to become male/female temple prostitutes.
― bosss  12/28/2014
1
Caleb Stonewall (also known as Fudou Akio) is a character in Inazuma Eleven.
― Anonymous User  10/6/2014
4
Very decent name! ♥ I prefer only this spelling. Kaleb with a k is very tacky.
― Anonymous User  9/6/2014
1
Caleb Rivers is Hanna Marin's computer-and-phone-hacker boyfriend on "Pretty Little Liars."
― Marauder  8/30/2014
2
In Arabic "Kalb" (written as "كلب", pronounced "Kə-ləb") means "dog". In Arabic "Qalb" (written as "قلب‎", pronounced "Qə-ləb") means "heart".
― Anonymous User  8/24/2014
1
Caleb is referred to in the Qur’ān and recoginised by Muslims as one of the believing spies similar to Christian belief.
― Anonymous User  8/24/2014
1
Caleb Daschanel is an Academy Award winning cinematographer and Father of Zooey and Emily Daschanel.
― Jason Malcolm  4/25/2014
0
I kind of liked this name before- the "dog" part ruined it for me though. :/
― Anonymous User  4/20/2014
2
I liked the name Caleb even before I knew it had a dog association; now I like it even more. Dogs are loving and loyal, and many are bold and courageous as well, so it all fits. I like Cabe as a nickname.
― shadow1999  11/7/2013
1
I had never heard of this name until I found out that the lead singer of Kings of Leon is called Caleb.
I really love this name, even though it says that it has English roots, I think it sounds very American.
― Anonymous User  7/25/2013
1
Caleb is pronounced as "Colev" in Hebrew meaning "Whole-Hearted" or "Faithful" Caleb is actually a compound word in Hebrew - something that is quite common in ancient Hebrew.
Col (Cuf + Lamed) = all or whole. Lev (Lamed + Vet) = heart.
Many name books / websites list the meaning of Caleb as "Dog". "Dog" in Hebrew is Celev, not Caleb:.
― TheCourtneyDayle  7/15/2013
1
Beatrice "Tris" Prior's older brother in the "Divergent" books is named Caleb.
― HetaliaGirl1  3/20/2013
1
Caleb Barwick (born 2000 in Kirkland, Washington) is an American child actor.
― Anonymous User  8/10/2012
1
This name is a nice name, but for me I just don't have good associations because of a very mean person who bore this name. It is funny seeing that the meaning is "dog" because he acted like one.
Anyway, I would love to see a cute little boy with this name to help me get over my bad associations.
― Marilyn86  7/30/2012
1
I loved this name all my life because I thought it sounded sweet, like a lamb or something. It was the name of the first boy I ever kissed when I was little! When I grew up I knew another Caleb, though, and even though he's beautiful on the outside, he's very empty as a person and an ass; the "dog" meaning is fitting! Too bad he ruined one of my favorite names that I used to want to use for a boy.
― treetops  5/9/2011
2
I like Caleb, it seems Young and Energetic, but I HATE the spelling "Kaleb", because it reminds me of a snotty little brat. Dunno why.
― FlakyMatt  4/5/2011
2
Yes the direct translation of Caleb is dog but it also means faithful, just like dogs, faithful.
― Ghostman  3/15/2011
3
I really like this name. It's much more refreshing and not as common as Jacob. However, I can't stand all the other spellings. Kaleb, Cayleb, and Kaylub just don't look right. It should be spelt Caleb.
― Black_X  2/23/2011
1
I feel like this should be a name that I like, but I really don't. I think it's the harsh "b" sound at the end of it that does it. Eugh.
― Nina.Matau  1/17/2011
2
I think the name Caleb is Very Very Mature. Thanks.(:
― Anonymous User  1/15/2011
2
I like this name, but I do admit that it sounds kind of childish.
― Chrila96  10/17/2010
1
To add to my other comment, I don't think this name is really "childish" in the bad way, just more of like... not really a harsh masculine name for a tough biker dude. Basically, this name only fits certain types of guys, but it is a cute name. =)
― Chrila96  2/8/2011
2
Personally, I love the name. To me it sounds calm and sweet.
― Varvara  7/22/2010
1
The meaning isn't exactly the best, but the pronunciation is nice, and it stands out. It also looks great written on paper.
― XxproudrulerxX  11/28/2009
1
I love this name and don't care about it's meaning but I personally wouldn't be proud of it even though I love dogs. It is also too common.
― Milena Scialfa  10/18/2009
-4
Caleb is tacky, trashy, and babyish. Once he turns five, there is no point in keeping this name. I hate the spellings Kaleb, Kalob, and Khaleb even more.
― bananarama  8/5/2009
1
Famous bearer - Anthony Caleb Followill, lead singer of the band Kings of Leon.
― NessCortese  3/21/2009
1
I never really noticed this name, but since I've became a huge fan of Kings of Leon I kinda started to really love it - their lead singer is named Caleb.
― janabuchtova  2/18/2009
1
I like this name, I don't care if it means "dog." It also fits in my story, because that Caleb can morph into a wolf. Wolf, dog, get it?
― Anonymous User  2/6/2009
1
Caleb Snyder was a popular character on the soap opera _As the World Turns_ starting in the 80s. I wouldn't doubt many Caleb babies are a result of this character.
― faye  1/24/2009
2
I LOVE dogs! So I wouldn't even care if this name meant dog at all. I think that this is a way of the meaning of loyalty. Dog means loyalty. So if Caleb has the meaning of dog he also has the meaning of loyalty. So I would just go with the loyalty meaning if you don't like the dog meaning.

So Caleb means loyalty. I LOVE the name Caleb. It reminds me of the over popular name Jacob which I also like.
― Anonymous User  1/2/2009
2
Caleb is an Ancient name. Yes it is biblical. Personally I love that about the name. But even if you don't care that it is biblical, you can at least respect the history of the name. This is a great name. It is also adorable for a little boy and it ages well.
― Anonymous User  1/2/2009
1
The name Caleb does not come from the Hebrew word for dog. Dog in Hebrew is Kelev, and the name Caleb in Hebrew is Calev (CA-lev). Although they are written almost the same, and consist of the 3 basic letters (root letters), Caleb comes from the Hebrew word for Cage, "Cloov". In the Bible Dictionary it is said the "Caleb" means "trapper". I'd say it makes more sense.
― Anonymous User  11/28/2008
1
Caleb Danvers is one of four magical brothers in the 2006 horror/thriller film "The Covenant".
― Lucia_Swanne  11/2/2008
1
Cute name. Go for it.
― Anonymous User  10/13/2008
1
Pronounced "kah-leb".
― Karcoolka  3/1/2008
1
I love the name! Strong without being over the top and biblical but not the typical James, John, Matthew, David, etc.
― DayDreamer23  1/9/2008
1
Caleb is one of Adam's sons in Steinbeck's East of Eden. He goes by Cal, and is one of the Cain characters.
― sweet-and-shy  12/8/2007
1
Caleb - Dog? Think of it This way: Loyalty.
― Anonymous User  10/11/2007
1
This name is sweet. I had thought of naming my baby this name, but decided on another. Caleb is becoming more popular. I don't care for the meaning of Dog, but as stated above, it can also relate to loyalty, which makes sense. Kaleb is nice too.
― Anonymous User  10/11/2007
0
Sounds prissy. Very high-falutin English.
― johann14  9/25/2007
1
I've recently really come to love this name. I think "Cal" is a great nickname for it. Now for the first time I realize that when you really like a name, you don't care how popular it is, provided it's a name with some history and heritage. I wish I could name my coming grandson Caleb, but it's not my decision to make!
― queenv  9/22/2007
2
In Hebrew, "dog" is KELEV.

KELEV
KALEB

I think the difference is big enough. They're not really the same at all.
― Anonymous User  8/19/2007
2
Dogs aren't bad at all (in fact, most of them are really cute!), so why is it bad that Caleb means dog? By the way, I DO know a dog named Caleb, plus a few humans named Caleb, too!
― Anonymous User  7/30/2007
1
If Caleb really does mean dog, the Caleb in the Bible sure proved his parents wrong. He was really cool!
― Anonymous User  6/4/2007
0
I love Caleb. I would like a different meaning to it rather than dog though.
― Jassie  5/7/2007
1
The name of a character in the W.I.T.C.H series of TV and Comics.
― DontDissMadison  5/1/2007
2
Huh? What's with all the hostility? This name isn't ugly at all, and resonates quite well too. It also flows fairly well too. I'm appalled at the fact that people seem to dislike the name just because it's Biblical.
― Lebeke  4/19/2007
1
Actor Jonathan Jackson of "Tuck Everlasting" has a son named Caleb.
― Martha Gold  4/18/2007
2
I actually like it. I don't see what's wrong with it.
― Dessa  4/10/2007
-1
I don't know why this name is getting so popular. It sounds like a food additive to me. It's ugly.
― visitor27  3/19/2007
0
I really like this name! It sounds like it would belong to someone carefree and creative. I like the meaning "brave, faithful" more than "dog", for obvious reasons.
― scarletquillraven  2/19/2007
1
This is what I would have been called if I was a boy, supposedly. I used to love this name. It's so popular though. I love Biblical names.
― Sarah Elizabeth  2/3/2007
1
The name Caleb is great! I prefer to think of its meaning being bold or courageous and not dog because that is not as nice.
― FirChlis  1/29/2007
1
The name of the evil preacher in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. For this reason I could never consider it for a child.
― Anonymous User  1/26/2007
3
This is an adorable name. I really like it. I guess everyone just has different tastes. But to me this is an awesome name for a little boy to have. :)
― EgYpTiAn PrInCeSs  1/19/2007
1
One of the worst names I have heared of. Ewwwww.
― lacey24  1/18/2007
1
I love this name - the sound, the look, everything. I also like that Caleb was a biblical figure, and a very good one at that. I plan on using this name someday myself!
― Pheadirean  1/5/2007
2
Caleb is a nice name, I don't have anything against it. I disagree with anyone who says "who cares if it's in the Bible." Because even though there are a lot of good names that aren't in the Bible, it doesn't mean that we should totally ignore the fact that names are biblical.
― Anonymous User  12/20/2006
1
I love the name Caleb. It makes me think of a funny, nice sort of guy. I love the look of this name, too.
― an0nymous  12/13/2006
1
Exactly, the name Caleb derived from Kalev which means 'like the heart' and certainly not kelev which means a dog, and it doesn't mean any of these: bold, courageous, impetuous, people are mistaken for thinking that.
― Anonymous User  11/26/2006
2
In Hebrew the name is "Kalev" that means "like the heart" and not "kelev" which means a dog.
― yadid_rh  10/23/2006
1
In a baby name book I have, it says Caleb means bold & faithful.
― Anonymous User  10/13/2006
1
I love this name. And I agree with the person who said this before, who cares if it's in the bible.
― skatergirl2  9/29/2006
1
Keira Knightley's brother: Caleb Knightley.
― Keira_111  6/10/2006
1
Strong, very masculine, and slightly exotic. Much more handsome and fresh than many of the over-used biblical names.
― Fionafabulous  5/19/2006
1
I just love the name Caleb. It sounds rugged and handsome and it's not overused, yet. I wish I had named one of my boys Caleb.
― Anonymous User  4/26/2006
1
Beautiful, my son is called Caleb and I don't think ignorant people should call it awful.
― Anonymous User  4/25/2006
1
I've also researched this name and found the meanings "bold, courageous, impetuous." This is more befitting the Biblical character than "dog," in my opinion. My second son is named Caleb and happens to exhibit those traits.
― Anonymous User  2/17/2006
0
Sorry, but I don't like the name. It is not very nice sounding and who cares if it was in the bible. A lot of biblical names don't sound nice. Just because I named my son a non-biblical name (Ryan) does not mean I am a vain person or a non-Christian.
― dmforsythe  12/22/2005
3
I love this name becuse it means more good things than bad things. It has a deep history. I didn't like some of the comments that were made. That's my son's name and it is beautiful unlike some names these kids get these days that are vain or just don't have any meaning at all. Please respect the name Caleb, it is in the bible and Caleb was one of the few that made it to the promised land!
― temeka  12/9/2005
1
This name is Hebrew, and in Hebrew there are no vowels. However, with different vowels between the consonants, this name means different things. Celeb would mean dog, but Caleb means bold or courageous. I talked to a Hebrew scholar about this and that is what he said.
― Lady Vrenn  10/31/2005
2
The name of the annoying child in American Gothic.
― tilly  8/18/2005
-2
I hate this name. Whenever I think of a "Caleb" I think of a tobacco-chewing prospector from the gold rush who says "Carnsarn it!" a lot.
― Anonymous User  8/11/2005
0
Also meaning "bold; intrepid; impetuous".
― daisypinks  6/7/2005

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