Kalem
Every Kalem since 1974 — 965 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kalem
Kalem is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,581 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1974, 965 American babies have been named Kalem. Its peak came in 2017, when 38 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kalem stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kalem year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | #8,581 |
| 2024 | 13 | #6,637 |
| 2023 | 19 | #5,162 |
| 2022 | 27 | #4,043 |
| 2021 | 23 | #4,437 |
| 2020 | 30 | #3,615 |
| 2019 | 33 | #3,458 |
| 2018 | 27 | #3,940 |
| 2017 | 38 | #3,100 |
| 2016 | 29 | #3,732 |
| 2015 | 30 | #3,636 |
| 2014 | 35 | #3,183 |
| 2013 | 29 | #3,620 |
| 2012 | 24 | #4,201 |
| 2011 | 19 | #4,906 |
| 2010 | 22 | #4,440 |
| 2009 | 34 | #3,297 |
| 2008 | 28 | #3,787 |
| 2007 | 21 | #4,573 |
| 2006 | 23 | #4,160 |
| 2005 | 14 | #5,732 |
| 2004 | 17 | #4,893 |
| 2003 | 22 | #3,906 |
| 2002 | 23 | #3,726 |
| 2001 | 12 | #5,851 |
| 2000 | 15 | #4,916 |
| 1995 | 17 | #3,768 |
| 1990 | 20 | #3,120 |
| 1985 | 13 | #3,511 |
| 1980 | 9 | #4,318 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kalem in 2025?
Kalem ranked #8,581 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kalem?
965 babies have been named Kalem in the United States since 1974, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kalem most popular?
Kalem peaked in 2017, when 38 newborns received the name.
Is Kalem a boy or girl name?
Kalem is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kalem rising or falling?
Kalem is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.