Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Kaleo
BoyHawaiian· “the voice, the sound”
- Meaning
- the voice, the sound
- Origin
- Hawaiian
- Pronunciation
- kah-LAY-oh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #898
- US babies 2025
- 265
- Best rank
- #898 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Kaleo
Kaleo is a Hawaiian name that means “the voice, the sound”.
Kaleo is a Hawaiian name meaning "the voice" or "the sound," combining the definite article ka with leo, voice. It is used for boys in Hawaii and has spread to the mainland US. The Icelandic rock band Kaleo, which took the Hawaiian word for its name, brought it wider recognition. It is pronounced kah-LAY-oh. The name has a warm, musical sound, and it sits well with other Hawaiian names such as Kai and Makoa. Leo is a ready-made nickname, which also connects it to a very familiar classic.
Popularity over time
Kaleo first appears in US Social Security records in 1971. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 1 different years, starting in 2025. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #898, and its highest count, 265 babies. Use has grown 349% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #4,727 in 1980, #4,295 in 2000, #2,663 in 2010, and #898 in 2025. Of the 2,252 US boys named Kaleo since records began, 43% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 707 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Lucien, Alistair, Marcello, Eliezer, and Foster.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kaleo ranked highest in Hawaii, Nevada, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #115 | 9 |
| Nevada | #420 | 7 |
| Arizona | #507 | 14 |
| Washington | #550 | 13 |
| California | #577 | 52 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Kaleo is usually pronounced kah-LAY-oh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-eo”.
Middle names for Kaleo
A few middle names that flow with Kaleo: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kaleo
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Lists that include Kaleo
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kaleo mean?
Kaleo is a Hawaiian name that means “the voice, the sound”.
What is the origin of the name Kaleo?
Kaleo has Hawaiian roots. Kaleo is a Hawaiian name meaning "the voice" or "the sound," combining the definite article ka with leo, voice.
Is Kaleo a popular name?
Yes. Kaleo ranked #898 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kaleo a boy or girl name?
Kaleo is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Kaleo?
Kaleo is usually pronounced kah-LAY-oh. 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