Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Kalel
BoyAmerican (modern coinage)· “Superman's Kryptonian birth name”
- Meaning
- Superman's Kryptonian birth name
- Origin
- American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- KAL-el
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,161
- US babies 2025
- 180
- Best rank
- #860 (2014)
- Peak year
- 2014
Meaning and origin of Kalel
Kalel is an American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “Superman's Kryptonian birth name”.
Kalel comes from Kal-El, the Kryptonian birth name of Superman, the comic book hero created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. In the stories, the infant Kal-El is sent to Earth from the doomed planet Krypton and grows up as Clark Kent. Choosing the name is a nod to the hero's strength and goodness. Some parents also note that El resembles the Hebrew word for God, though that link is not part of the original comic. Kalel feels modern and imaginative, with a clear pop-culture connection. Kal is an obvious and appealing nickname.
Popularity over time
Kalel first appears in US Social Security records in 1996. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 10 different years, starting in 2009. Its best national rank was #860 in 2014, the same year it reached its highest count of 257 babies. In 2025, 180 babies were named Kalel, and it ranked #1,161 nationally. That is 26% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,587 in 2000, #1,103 in 2010, and #1,161 in 2025. Of the 4,400 US boys named Kalel since records began, 49% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,232 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Gibson, Emmet, Vivaan, Cristiano, and Immanuel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kalel ranked highest in Nevada, Massachusetts, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #552 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | #660 | 7 |
| Florida | #765 | 20 |
| New York | #970 | 13 |
| North Carolina | #973 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Kalel is usually pronounced KAL-el, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-el”.
Middle names for Kalel
A few middle names that flow with Kalel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kalel
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Lists that include Kalel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kalel mean?
Kalel is an American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “Superman's Kryptonian birth name”.
What is the origin of the name Kalel?
Kalel has modern American roots. Kalel comes from Kal-El, the Kryptonian birth name of Superman, the comic book hero created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
Is Kalel a popular name?
Not especially. Kalel ranked #1,161 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Kalel a boy or girl name?
Kalel is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Kalel?
Kalel is usually pronounced KAL-el. 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