Callum
Top 1000
About Callum
Callum is a gentle, charming name of Scottish origin, that is a popular choice across the UK. In the US, it was a rare option until the late 2000s, however, since 2017 it's been rising up the ranks. Complete with easy, breezy and cool nickname Cal, it climbed more than 60 places in the US in 2024, placing it just outside the Top 150.
The name was derived from the Latin Columba, a unisex given name meaning "dove", which in turn made it popular among early Christians because the dove is a symbol of purity, peace and the Holy Spirit. St. Columba was one of the most influential of the early Celtic saints for building a monastery on the Scottish island of Iona, and essentially bringing Christianity to Scotland.
While Callum can be considered a spiritual choice then, the symbolism is subtle, making the name more versatile and accessible. Doves represent peace more broadly after all.
Also spelled as Calum, other variations include the Irish Colm and Colman, the German Koloman, and the Scottish Malcolm.
Pronounced KAL-um.
As of October 2026, Callum ranked #118 in US births in 2025 SSA, Nameberry popularity #10.
Editor's take: The name Callum is a boy's name of Scottish origin meaning "dove".
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #732 | 327 | 170.2 |
| 2015 | #685 | 369 | 192.5 |
| 2016 | #706 | 349 | 183.9 |
| 2017 | #609 | 433 | 233.9 |
| 2018 | #558 | 493 | 271.5 |
| 2019 | #448 | 671 | 374 |
| 2020 | #336 | 967 | 560.2 |
| 2021 | #273 | 1,264 | 722.5 |
| 2022 | #249 | 1,417 | 811.6 |
| 2023 | #222 | 1,643 | 960.5 |
| 2024 | #159 | 2,258 | 1,310.6 |
| 2025 | #118 | 2,995 | 1,753.4 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Callum.
- Rhys
- Lachlan
- Ronan
- Everett
- Ellis
- Emerson
- Kieran
- Judah
- Declan
- Alden
- Flynn
- Derin
- Emmett
- Griffin
- Rory
- Holden
- Beckett
- Killian
- Elias
- Arden
Callum on lists
Famous Callums
- (Daniel James) Callum Blue
English actor
- Callum Ilott
British racing driver
- Callum Keith Rennie
English,Canadian actor
- Callum Rory McKenzie Francis
English actor and singer
- Callum Henry McManaman
English footballer
- Callum James Ferguson
Australian cricketer
- Callum Thomas Owen Paterson
English footballer
- Callum Smith
British boxer
- Callum Eddie Graham Wilson
English footballer
- Callum Robilliard Turner
English actor
- Callum McGinley 'Callux'
YouTuber
- Callum Airey 'Calfreezy'
YouTuber
- Callum Lyon MacLachlan
son of actor Kyle MacLachlan
- Callum Ryan Moses Schweain (b. 2010)
son of singer Kristin Swinford,Schweain of ZOEgirl
- Callum Woodhouse
actor who plays Tristan Farnon on "All Creatures Great and Small"
Callum in pop culture
- Callum McGregor
character in Malorie Blackman's 'Noughts and Crosses' series
- Callum
character on British TV series "The Sparticle Mystery"
- Callum “Halfway” Highway
character on British soap “Eastenders”
- Callum Jones
character on Australian soap "Neighbours"
- Callum Reyes
character in "Reboot" by Amy Tintera
- Callum Rennie
character on British soap "Emmerdale"
- Callum Kane
character on British soap "Hollyoaks"
- Callum
character in horror game 'The Park'
- Callum "Cal" Lynch
character in the film "Assassin's Creed"
- Callum Hunt
main character of Holly Black and Cassandra Clare's "Magisterium" series
- Prince Callum
character in animated TV series "The Dragon Prince"