Callum
Say it: KAL-um
BoyMeans dove6 letters2 syllables
#49
in Ireland (2025)
#51 with spellings combined
107
babies in 2025
#22
best rank (2006)
4,883
babies since 1989
Down 8
10-year rank change
Callum through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 107 | #51 |
| 2024 | 154 | #37 |
| 2023 | 131 | #43 |
| 2022 | 119 | #56 |
| 2021 | 162 | #39 |
| 2020 | 149 | #39 |
| 2019 | 151 | #45 |
| 2018 | 159 | #46 |
| 2017 | 171 | #43 |
| 2016 | 162 | #48 |
| 2015 | 173 | #43 |
| 2014 | 214 | #36 |
| 2013 | 181 | #47 |
| 2012 | 215 | #39 |
| 2011 | 245 | #35 |
| 2010 | 293 | #32 |
| 2009 | 301 | #29 |
| 2008 | 224 | #37 |
| 2007 | 239 | #34 |
| 2006 | 368 | #22 |
| 2005 | 216 | #34 |
| 2004 | 130 | #61 |
| 2003 | 138 | #46 |
| 2002 | 110 | #60 |
| 2001 | 76 | #76 |
| 2000 | 86 | #69 |
| 1999 | 71 | #79 |
| 1998 | 43 | #99 |
| 1997 | 31 | #137 |
| 1996 | 25 | #149 |
| 1995 | 11 | #206 |
| 1994 | 8 | #225 |
| 1993 | 3 | #339 |
| 1992 | 7 | #238 |
| 1991 | 7 | #230 |
| 1989 | 3 | #307 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Callum mean?
Dove
Scottish Gaelic Calum, from Latin Columba (dove).
Say it right
KALum
The story of Callum
Callum is a spelling of the Scottish Gaelic Calum, which comes from the Latin Columba, meaning dove. It is the same name as the Irish Colm. As a surname, Callum can also be a shortened form of McCallum.
The name honours Saint Columba, known in Ireland as Colm Cille. Born in the sixth century in Tír Chonaill, he founded monasteries in Ireland before settling on the island of Iona around 563. The abbey he built there became a major centre of the Church, and he is one of the patron saints of Ireland along with Patrick and Brigid.
Callum reached the CSO list in 1989 and rose fast. Its best year came in 2006 with 368 babies, when it was number 22. It was even stronger in Northern Ireland, where it reached 8th that year.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Callum (English proper noun)
- Wiktionary: Calum (English and Scottish Gaelic proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Calum
- Wikipedia: Columba
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Callum | 107 | 4,883 |
In Northern Ireland
#107 in 2025 with 22 babies. Best rank #8 (2006); 2,567 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.