Cael
Boy name · Celtic · Gaelic · Irish · Scottish
- US rank
- #1,942
- Syllables
- 1
- Peak
- #777 in 2002
79 babies were named Cael in the US in 2025. It has climbed 563 places in five years.
Found on lists
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US births per million girls, 2007–2025
US births per million boys, 1989–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Cael you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 21,598 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Cael, 79 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Cael would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryCael first shows up in US birth records in 1989, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 36 years since.
- Best yearIts best year was 2002, when it reached #777.
- Then vs nowCael is 2.8× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 61,350 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 21,598.
- TrendCael has climbed 563 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #1,942. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- Where it's lovedCael is most popular in Iowa, where it ranks #571, followed by Maryland (#702). It's in the top 1,000 in 2 states.
About the name Cael
Cael is a boy name of Celtic, Gaelic and Irish origin. It has 4 letters and 1 syllable, starting with C and ending in “-ael”. US birth records list Cael for boys from 1989 to 2025, in 33 of those 37 years. Its best year was 2002, when it ranked #777 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #1,942, with 79 babies.
Origin:Celtic namesGaelic namesIrish namesScottish names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.4 | 714,286 girls |
| 2010s | 2.8 | 357,143 girls |
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 4.0 | 250,000 boys |
| 1990s | 2.9 | 348,432 boys |
| 2000s | 91 | 10,964 boys |
| 2010s | 81 | 12,407 boys |
| 2020s | 30 | 32,931 boys |
Other spellings of Cael
More Celtic boy names
- Unisex name: Owen · well-born
- Unisex name: Logan · little hollow
- Unisex name: Rowan · little red-haired one
- Unisex name: Nolan · descendant of Nuallán
- Unisex name: Cameron · crooked nose
- Boy name: Ian · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Gael · a Gael
- Boy name: Arthur · possibly bear
Questions about the name Cael
What is the origin of the name Cael?
Cael has Celtic, Gaelic, Irish, Scottish roots in our records. Other Celtic names include Owen, Logan, Rowan.
Is Cael a boy or girl name?
Cael is a boy name.
How popular is the name Cael?
Cael ranked #1,942 for US boys in 2025, given to 79 babies. Its best year was 2002 (#777).