Callum
Callum is a boys' name of Scottish origin meaning “dove, follower of Saint Columba.” It ranked #118 in the United States in 2025. Callum derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'Calum,' itself from the Latin 'columba' (dove).
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how do you pronounce Callum?
KAL-um
where does the name Callum come from?
A variant of Calum, from the Latin Columba, meaning dove, and also a Scottish surname shortened from McCallum.
Saint Columba (Colm Cille) was an Irish monk who founded the famous monastery on the island of Iona, one of the most important religious centers in medieval Scotland. Callum has been a top name in Scotland for decades.
how popular is this name?
Callum has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 18 years since 2008. It peaked at #118 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #118 |
| 2024 | #158 |
| 2023 | #221 |
| 2022 | #249 |
| 2021 | #273 |
| 2020 | #336 |
| 2019 | #449 |
| 2018 | #558 |
| 2017 | #608 |
| 2016 | #706 |
| 2010 | #845 |
| 2008 | #974 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Callum fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Callum
The Columba connection points to St Columba, the sixth-century Irish missionary who founded the monastery on Iona, and the name has long been common in Scotland for that reason.
what are the nicknames and variants of Callum?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Callum?
- Callum Turner (British actor)
- Callum Wilson (English footballer)
what names are similar to Callum?
what names go well with Callum?
Sibling names that share Callum's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Callum
What does the name Callum mean?
Callum means “dove, follower of Saint Columba”.
What is the origin of the name Callum?
Callum comes from the Scottish naming tradition. Related forms include Calum, Colm and Malcolm.
How popular is the name Callum?
Callum ranked #118 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data.
Is Callum a boy or girl name?
Callum is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Callum?
Callum is pronounced KAL-um, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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