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At a Glance
- Origin
- English (short form)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- KAL
Cal is an English short form, pronounced KAL (/ˈkæl/). You might come across a claim that it means "bald," but that meaning actually belongs to Calvin's root — Cal on its own is just a short form, with no meaning attached. It's a clean, modern pick for parents who want something pared-down and easy to say.
Meaning & Origin of Cal
Origin: English (short form).
A common claim: Bald Actually: Cal is sometimes said to mean 'bald,' but that's Calvin's root; Cal itself is just a short form with no meaning of its own.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Cal
KALIPA /ˈkæl/
Popularity of Cal
SSA records for Cal run from 1880 to 2024. It peaked at #393 in 1880 with 19 babies given the name, and most recently sat at #670 in 2024 with 408 babies.
Names Like Cal
These names share Cal’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Cal mean?
Bald Cal is sometimes said to mean ‘bald,’ but that’s Calvin’s root; Cal itself is just a short form with no meaning of its own.
How do you pronounce Cal?
Cal is pronounced KAL (IPA: /ˈkæl/).
Is Cal a popular name right now?
Cal peaked at #393 in 1880 and is ranked #670 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Cal Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Cal, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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