Calhoun
Boy name · Celtic · Gaelic · Irish · Irish surname · Scottish
Meaningfrom the narrow wood · Scottish
- US rank
- #7,679
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #959 in 1886
10 babies were named Calhoun in the US in 2025. It has climbed 388 places in five years.
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US births per million boys, 1886–2025
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 Calhoun you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 169,492 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Calhoun, 10 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Calhoun would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryCalhoun first shows up in US birth records in 1886, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 139 years since.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1886, when it ranked #959. Today it's #7,679, so it could be due a comeback.
- TrendCalhoun has climbed 388 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #7,679. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- Where it's lovedCalhoun is most popular in South Carolina, where it ranks #743. It's in the top 1,000 in 1 state.
- MeaningIn Scottish, Calhoun means “from the narrow wood”. Our records link it to Celtic, Gaelic and Irish roots.
About the name Calhoun
Calhoun is a boy name of Celtic, Gaelic and Irish origin meaning “from the narrow wood”. It has 7 letters and 2 syllables, starting with C and ending in “-oun”. US birth records list Calhoun for boys from 1886 to 2025, in 40 of those 140 years. Its best year was 1886, when it ranked #959 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #7,679, with 10 babies.
Origin:Celtic namesGaelic namesIrish namesIrish surname namesScottish names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 11 | 88,692 boys |
| 1910s | 4.4 | 227,273 boys |
| 1920s | 4.5 | 223,214 boys |
| 1930s | 1.2 | 826,446 boys |
| 1940s | 1.3 | 751,880 boys |
| 1950s | 1.2 | 813,008 boys |
| 1990s | 0.9 | 1,136,364 boys |
| 2000s | 0.2 | 4,166,667 boys |
| 2010s | 3.9 | 255,754 boys |
| 2020s | 5.7 | 174,927 boys |
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 Calhoun
What does the name Calhoun mean?
Calhoun means “from the narrow wood” in Scottish.
What is the origin of the name Calhoun?
Calhoun has Celtic, Gaelic, Irish, Irish surname, Scottish roots in our records. Other Celtic names include Owen, Logan, Rowan.
Is Calhoun a boy or girl name?
Calhoun is a boy name.
How popular is the name Calhoun?
Calhoun ranked #7,679 for US boys in 2025, given to 10 babies. Its best year was 1886 (#959).