Cal is a distinctive choice, ranked #2264 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Cal in their class.
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UK Rank 2024
#2264
US Rank #670
About the Name Cal
Cal is climbing rapidly up the charts, having climbed 749 places in just five years. Its best recorded rank was #1188 in 2003 — and current momentum suggests it could challenge that mark again. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Cal is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #670, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Cal
Unlikely. With around 10 UK babies named Cal per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Cal in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Cal is currently rising in popularity in the UK, up 749 places over the last five years to #2264 in 2024. If this trend continues, it will become more common in classrooms over the next decade.
Cal is more popular in the US (#670) than in the UK (#2264). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Cal include: Cal Henderson — Callum James Henderson-Begg, known as Cal Henderson, is a British computer programmer and author based in San Francisco.; Cal Thomas — John Calvin Thomas is an American syndicated columnist, author and radio commentator.; Cal McNair — Daniel Calhoun McNair is an American businessman and sports executive..
Cal ranks #670 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
10
UK babies named Cal (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.0
In a school of 600
↑ 749 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Cal
Likely around 1 other Cal in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Cal
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Daniel Calhoun McNair is an American businessman and sports executive. He is the principal owner, chairman, and chief executive officer of the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL).
Callan Hayden Foote is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL). Foote was selected 14th overall in the 2017 NHL entry draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Cal Paul Quantrill is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians / Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Miami Marlins, and Atlanta Braves.