Kaleb

How to say it

/ˈkeɪ.ləb/

What it means

A modern respelling of Caleb, from Hebrew, read either as 'dog' (a symbol of loyalty) or 'whole-hearted.'

Kaleb is the K-spelling of Caleb, a Hebrew name usually traced to the word for 'dog,' taken as a sign of loyal devotion, or read as 'whole-hearted.' The biblical Caleb was one of the two scouts who trusted God's promise about Canaan, which made the name a favorite in faith-minded families. The Kaleb spelling is a modern American twist on that scripture name. Kale and Cale serve as shorts.

Heads-up notes

• Spelling

  A respelling of the biblical Caleb; same name, same roots.

Who's worn it

Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.

• Caleb one of the two faithful scouts sent into Canaan in the Hebrew Bible

Spelling variants

• Caleb
• Kayleb
• Kaeleb

Names with the same feeling

• Caleb Faithful, devotion
• Micah Who is like God?
• Silas Of the forest, or short for Silvanus
• Eli Ascended, my God
• Jonah Dove

See Kaleb from another angle