All about the name

Calhoun

Male

« Calhoun is an American given name of Irish Gaelic origin, derived from Ó Ceallacháin meaning "descendant of hardy or bold one. »

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Meaning, origin, history

Calhoun is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from the surname Calhoun, which was originally an Irish Gaelic name, Ó Ceallacháin. The name Ó Ceallacháin is composed of two elements: "Ó," meaning "descendant of," and "Ceallachán," a personal name believed to mean "hardy" or "bold." The surname Calhoun was brought to America by early Irish immigrants, with one of the most notable bearers being John C. Calhoun, a prominent American statesman from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. He served as the seventh Vice President of the United States under both John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. As a given name, Calhoun is relatively rare but has been used occasionally in America since the mid-20th century. It is often associated with the Southern American states due to its historical usage there. The name Calhoun does not have any specific meaning or attributes when used as a given name, but it can be seen as having a strong and bold connotation based on its derivation from Ó Ceallacháin. In terms of popularity, Calhoun has never ranked among the most common names in the United States. According to the Social Security Administration's data, there have been fewer than five babies named Calhoun each year since records began in 1938, with a peak of nine births in 2006. Overall, Calhoun is an uncommon but historically significant given name with an interesting origin and derivation. Its rarity makes it stand out as a unique choice for parents looking for something distinctive for their child.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Calhoun since 1880

Total births
274
Total since 1880
Peak year
2015
12 births
in 2023
8
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+33%
vs previous 5 years