Boy Name · Scottish Gaelic Origin
Calum
Calum means “Dove”. It is a boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Calum is a boy baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning "Dove". It currently sits in the Rare tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Calum often also consider Callum.
Calum meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Dove
Origin: Scottish Gaelic naming roots help connect Calum to related Scottish Gaelic baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Calum as C·A·L·U·M, with 5 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Calum is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Calum variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Caluma, Calume, Calumy, Calu.
- Nicknames: Cal and C.
- Middle names: Pair Calum with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Calum middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Callum, Calen, Callan, Callen, Colin — full picks on the sibling names for Calum guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Calum? Browse our names like Calum guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Calum
What does the name Calum mean?
Calum means "Dove" and is of Scottish Gaelic origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Calum is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Calum?
Calum originates in Scottish Gaelic naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Calum?
Calum has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Calum a boy's or girl's name?
Calum is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Calum in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Calum sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Calum?
Names that share Calum's sound and style include Callum, Calen, Callan, Callen, Colin.
What middle names pair well with Calum?
Good middle-name fits for Calum pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Calum is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Calum is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Calum?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Calum share its rhythm without rhyming — Callum, Calen, Callan all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.