Caleb in Chinese
Caleb in Chinese is 凯勒布 (Kǎi Lè Bù).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- faithful, whole-hearted
Caleb is a name of Hebrew origin, generally understood to mean "faithful, whole-hearted". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2000s. Spellings pronounced the same way include Kaleb, which share the transliteration 凯勒布.
3 ways to write Caleb
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
凯勒布
Kǎi Lè Bù
The standard transliteration of Caleb: 凯 (kǎi, "triumph, victory song"), 勒 (lè, "to rein in (phonetic 'l')"), 布 (bù, "cloth; to proclaim"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 2-syllable English name is spread over 3 characters: 凯 kǎi + 勒 lè + 布 bù. The tone contour is 3-4-4 (dipping, falling, falling).
Character breakdown
24 strokes total (simplified)- 凯
kǎi
Tone 3 · 8 strokes (simplified)
triumph, victory song
- 勒
lè
Tone 4 · 11 strokes (simplified)
to rein in (phonetic 'l')
- 布
bù
Tone 4 · 5 strokes (simplified)
cloth; to proclaim
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
志诚
Zhì Chéng
Inspired by "faithful, whole-hearted": 志 (zhì, "will, aspiration") + 诚 (chéng, "sincere, honest"), expressing faith, sincerity and hope.
Why these characters?
The idea of "faithful" behind Caleb is rendered by 志, "will, aspiration"; 诚, "sincere, honest", completes it.
Character breakdown
15 strokes total (simplified)- 志
zhì
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
will, aspiration
- 诚
chéng
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
sincere, honest
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
凯诚
Kǎi Chéng
凯 (kǎi, "triumph, victory song") + 诚 (chéng, "sincere, honest"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 凯 (kǎi), the same opening character as the transliteration 凯勒布, for the "ca" sound, and replaces the rest with 诚 ("sincere, honest") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 凯
kǎi
Tone 3 · 8 strokes (simplified)
triumph, victory song
- 诚
chéng
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
sincere, honest
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Caleb
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Caleb ranked 52 among names recorded for boys, with 33,903 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 276,718 boys named Caleb since 1880, with the high point in 2002 (11,657 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #88 to #50 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2002
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 276,718
More About Caleb in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Caleb offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Caleb, you'll find options that work for you.
Caleb is also spelled Kaleb — both names use the same Chinese transliteration.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Kaleb in Chinese, Logan in Chinese, and Gabriel in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Jeremy in Chinese, Sean in Chinese, Patrick in Chinese, and Cody in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Caleb, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Caleb to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Caleb in Chinese characters?
凯勒布 (Kǎi Lè Bù), or 凱勒布 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Caleb with real meaning?
Try 志诚 (Zhì Chéng): will, aspiration + sincere, honest, inspired by "faithful, whole-hearted". For something that still sounds like Caleb, 凯诚 (Kǎi Chéng) is a middle ground.
Do Caleb and Kaleb have the same Chinese name?
Yes. Both are written 凯勒布, because Chinese transliteration follows pronunciation rather than English spelling.