Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Callahan
BoyIrish· “descendant of Ceallachán”
- Meaning
- descendant of Ceallachán
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- KA-luh-han
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #227
- US babies 2025
- 1,566
- Best rank
- #227 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Callahan
Callahan is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “descendant of Ceallachán”.
Callahan is an Irish surname from Ó Ceallacháin, descendant of Ceallachán. The personal name is a diminutive of Ceallach, which is often explained as bright-headed or as strife, so its meaning is not certain. Ceallachán Caisil was a king of Munster in the tenth century. As a first name, Callahan has a friendly, Irish charm and a bouncy rhythm. Cal and Callie are easy nicknames, and it pairs well with short, classic middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Callaghan.
Popularity over time
Callahan first appears in US Social Security records in 1983. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 7 different years, starting in 2019. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #227, and its highest count, 1,566 babies. Use has grown 1787% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #2,579 in 2000, #2,795 in 2010, and #227 in 2025. Of the 6,030 US boys named Callahan since records began, 73% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kairo, Cohen, Ismael, Baker, and Malakai.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Callahan ranked highest in Montana, New Hampshire, and Missouri.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | #79 | 15 |
| New Hampshire | #94 | 16 |
| Missouri | #95 | 68 |
| Wisconsin | #96 | 62 |
| South Dakota | #97 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 88% of US babies named Callahan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Callahan is usually pronounced KA-luh-han, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with C and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Callaghan.
Middle names for Callahan
A few middle names that flow with Callahan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Callahan
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Lists that include Callahan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Callahan mean?
Callahan is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “descendant of Ceallachán”.
What is the origin of the name Callahan?
Callahan has Irish roots. Callahan is an Irish surname from Ó Ceallacháin, descendant of Ceallachán.
Is Callahan a popular name?
Yes. Callahan ranked #227 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Callahan a boy or girl name?
Callahan is mainly a boy's name. About 88% of US babies named Callahan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Callahan?
Callahan is usually pronounced KA-luh-han. 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