Calder
Boy name · 39 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Calder: 39 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 6 births in 2022.
A rugged Scottish surname turned first name, Calder comes from the Gaelic *cal* meaning ‘hard’ or ‘stormy’ and *dobhar* meaning ‘water’, together evoking a ‘rocky stream’ or ‘rushing water’. The name is also shared by several rivers across Scotland and northern England, including the River Calder in West Yorkshire, whose name derives from the same ancient root. Among notable bearers, the American sculptor Alexander Calder – famous for inventing the mobile – carried the surname as his family name, while the name has seen modern use in Scotland as a given name. Its connection to water and wild landscapes gives it a natural, sturdy feel that appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet grounded in Scottish heritage.
Boy 10 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 20226 babies
- Latest (2023)
- #5335 babies
- Total births
- 39since 2010
- 5-year trend
- ▲ 29%vs prior 5y