Caleb

Caleb is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. It derives from the biblical name Kalev, commonly interpreted as meaning "dog" in Hebrew, though many scholars prefer to translate it as "faithful" or "devoted." In the Hebrew Bible, Caleb the son of Jephunneh is a prominent figure who, along with Joshua, spied out the land of Canaan. He is remembered for his faith and steadfastness and, according to the Book of Joshua, received an inheritance in the hill country of Judah, in Hebron.

Since the early modern period in English-speaking cultures, Caleb has been used as a given name, with a marked rise in popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It is especially common in the United States and other Christian-majority countries, where biblical names are often chosen by families.

Pronounced KAY-ləb, the name has several spellings and variants, including Kaleb and Kalev. The form Caleb is widely used in many languages and religious communities, and the name has also appeared in translated biblical texts and modern literature.

In culture, Caleb appears in religious writings, novels, television, and film as a recognizable given name. It is used for fictional characters and for real individuals in various fields, reflecting its enduring presence in modern naming practices.