Kal
Kal is a boy's name of Contemporary origin.
Meaning
Strong, sound; also famously used as the Kryptonian birth name of Superman.
Origin and history
Kal is a modern short name that gained recognition in popular culture as the Kryptonian birth name of Superman (Kal-El). It is also occasionally used as a short form for names like Caleb, Callum, or Kalel. In the United States, it remains a rare but distinct choice for boys.
Popularity in the United States
1,256 babies in the United States have been named Kal since 1880. It ranks #3442 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1560.
States where it is most popular
- CA (36.7 %)
- TX (21.5 %)
- UT (16.5 %)
- MI (6.3 %)
- FL (3.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 11 |
| 1950-1960 | 63 |
| 1960-1970 | 76 |
| 1970-1980 | 53 |
| 1980-1990 | 70 |
| 1990-2000 | 79 |
| 2000-2010 | 116 |
| 2010-2019 | 420 |
| 2020-2029 | 368 |
Famous people named Kal
- Kal Penn: Actor, Civil Servant
Fun facts
- The name Kal-El was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938 as the original Kryptonian birth name of Superman.
- While historically rare, usage of Kal as a standalone given name has seen a minor increase in recent decades.