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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
Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.
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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