Baby Name Popularity Profile

Cal

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Cal.

✦ Derived from names meaning 'little bald one' or 'dove' 🌍 English, Latin, Celtic traditional
National Rank (2025) #543
All-Time Peak Rank #393 Achieved 1880
Total U.S. Births 7,858 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 100.0% Boy / 0.0% Girl Male Archetype
First Recorded 1880 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 2020s 554 births in 2025
💡 The Cal Vibe: Considered a Rising Star. A high-velocity modern choice demonstrating rapid, sustained growth in recent registries.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Derived from names meaning 'little bald one' or 'dove'
Language Origin English, Latin, Celtic
Origin Type multiple
Primarily a diminutive of names such as Calvin (from Latin 'calvus' meaning 'bald') and Callum (from Scottish Gaelic 'Colm', derived from Latin 'columba' meaning 'dove').
Pronunciation: KAL
Themes & Categories
traditional
Etymology confidence: Medium · Under review

📖 The Story Behind Cal

According to SSA data, Cal achieved its highest historical rank of #393 in 1880. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2025 with 554 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have increased by 284.7%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 121 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Cal across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Fast Rising
10-Year Shift +284.7% Growth
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 554 births in 2025
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 3 yrs
Registry Streak 121 yrs
Historical Volatility Highly Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 104
1890s: 87
1900s: 59
1910s: 176
1920s: 249
1930s: 215
1940s: 309
1950s: 538
1960s: 458
1970s: 288
1980s: 333
1990s: 689
2000s: 903
2010s: 1,273
2020s: 2,177

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Cal
Letter Count 3 letters
Spelling Complexity Easy
Length Percentile Longer than 0.2% of names
Linguistic Profile: It is an isogram, meaning no two letters are repeated. Longer than 0.2% of SSA names. Starts with C, a letter used by only 5.7% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Cal.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State Utah
Top States Utah, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Washington
States with Data 40
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
Utah #158 233 2025 +36.0% Growth
Wisconsin #256 281 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota #279 211 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa #193 134 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Washington #258 135 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho #217 33 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska #249 50 2024 Insufficient historical volume
California #546 640 2025 +80.6% Growth
Arizona #446 78 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #507 72 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Texas #794 458 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #781 202 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #402 231 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon #333 37 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma #331 54 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas #330 41 2025 Insufficient historical volume
North Dakota #201 13 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Wyoming #95 5 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Montana Unranked 11 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Nevada #455 12 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #337 76 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts #323 77 2025 Insufficient historical volume
New York #887 209 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #813 84 2025 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #510 31 2025 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #1167 51 2022 Insufficient historical volume
South Dakota Unranked 6 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #558 37 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana #486 41 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #811 73 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Georgia #927 42 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas Unranked 15 1915 Insufficient historical volume
Connecticut Unranked 12 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #637 42 2025 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey #843 17 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #891 13 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana Unranked 10 1948 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland Unranked 6 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi Unranked 5 1939 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #781 5 2025 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

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