All about the name

Caulder

Male

« Caulder is a rare Scottish given name meaning "cold stream" or "cold valley," derived from the surname Cauldhame which originated in East Lothian's Coldingham area. »

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Meaning, origin, history

Caulder is a unique and uncommon given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname Cauldhame, which is believed to have been an habitational name from a place in East Lothian called Coldingham. The name Caulder is thought to mean "cold stream" or "cold valley," reflecting the geographical features of its place of origin. The earliest record of the surname Cauldhame is found in 1296, when it was listed as one of the many names of those who had sworn fealty to King Edward I of England. Over time, the name has evolved and taken on various spellings, including Caulder, Calder, Caldie, and others. While Caulder is not a particularly popular given name today, it has been used occasionally throughout history. In Scotland, there are records of people named Caulder as far back as the 17th century. However, it is not considered to be a traditional Scottish given name like many other names of Scottish origin. One famous bearer of the Caulder surname was Sir Alexander Calder (1898-1976), a renowned American sculptor known for his innovative mobile sculptures. Although he did not use his full first name, Alexander Caulder, it is worth noting that he hailed from a family with Scottish ancestry. In summary, Caulder is a rare and distinctive given name of Scottish origin that means "cold stream" or "cold valley." While its use as a given name has been limited throughout history, it remains an interesting and unique choice for parents looking for an uncommon name for their child.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Caulder since 1880

Total births
118
Total since 1880
Peak year
2018
19 births
in 2023
9
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+36%
vs previous 5 years