Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Cale
BoyEnglish, Hebrew· “short for Caleb; also a surname”
- Meaning
- short for Caleb; also a surname (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- KAYL
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,722
- US babies 2025
- 47
- Best rank
- #596 (1984)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Cale
Cale is often said to mean “short for Caleb; also a surname”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Hebrew roots.
Cale is a short name with more than one possible source, so its origin is uncertain. It is often used as a short form of Caleb, a Hebrew name borne by one of the spies Moses sent into Canaan, and it is also an English surname of uncertain meaning. Musician J. J. Cale carried the surname. As a given name, Cale has a simple, cool sound and a single syllable, similar to Kyle and Gale. Pronounced KAYL, it is easy to spell and say. It suits parents who want a short, strong name that can stand alone or serve as a nickname for Caleb.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kale, Kael, Kail.
Popularity over time
Cale first appears in US Social Security records in 1917. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 38 different years, starting in 1969. Its best national rank was #596 in 1984, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 395 were named Cale. In 2025, 47 babies were named Cale, and it ranked #2,722 nationally. That is 66% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #894 in 1980, #839 in 2000, #691 in 2010, and #2,722 in 2025. Of the 8,207 US boys named Cale since records began, 33% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,554 babies. Since 2010, 1,787 more have been named Cale.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Aydin, Gavyn, Urijah, Aryan, and Bradyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cale ranked highest in Colorado.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | #775 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 97% of US babies named Cale over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Cale is usually pronounced KAYL, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with C and ends in “-le”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kale, Kael, and Kail.
Middle names for Cale
A few middle names that flow with Cale: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cale
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Lists that include Cale
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cale mean?
Cale is often said to mean “short for Caleb; also a surname”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Cale?
Cale has English and Hebrew roots. Cale is a short name with more than one possible source, so its origin is uncertain.
Is Cale a popular name?
Not especially. Cale ranked #2,722 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Cale a boy or girl name?
Cale is mainly a boy's name. About 97% of US babies named Cale over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Cale?
Cale is usually pronounced KAYL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings