Calder is a likeable baby name for boys. With its compelling origins as a surviving Common Brittonic name, Calder arose as a Scottish surname and later became a modern given name. Calder Frost is the name of the hero in Frostbite by Deborah Bladon, and Calder White is the protagonist of Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown. Keep reading to learn more about this name.
Meaning of the name Calder:
Common Brittonic: Rocky water, stony river, stream
Origin of the name Calder:
Calder derives from an early Common Brittonic word that meant “rocky water.” Etymologists believe that it referred to the hard or rushing streams found throughout the British Isles. It is closely related to the Modern Welsh word caled (meaning “hard”). Calder first arose as a Scottish surname and then later became a given name.
Symbolism of the name Calder:
Calder originated as a Scottish surname that meant “stony river” or “rocky water.” In Scotland, Calder is also the namesake of a Highland Scottish clan. This highlander clan has a castle seat in Cawdor (the medieval spelling of the name Calder). The symbol of Clan Calder is the black reindeer.
Style of the name Calder:
Traditional
Gender of the name Calder:
Calder is a boy's name.
Pronunciation of the name Calder:
CAUL-dər
Number of syllables in the name Calder:
Two
Emotion evoked from the name Calder:
The name Calder evokes feelings of adventure and esteem.
Alternative spellings for the name Calder:
- Caulder
- Cawdor
- Caldor
Nicknames for the name Calder:
- Cal
- Caldie
- Caldy
Popularity of the name Calder:
According to the Social Security Administration index, Calder was the 1,753rd most popular baby name for boys in 2020.
Related names for the name Calder:
Great middle names for Calder and their meanings:
- Axel (my father is peace)
- Brooks (freshwater streams)
- Colby (coal town)
- Donovan (little brown one)
- Douglas (dark green river)
- Everard (brave boar)
- Hann (God is gracious)
- Jake (supplanter, one who follows)
- Liam (helmeted protector, strong-willed warrior)
- Manny (God is with us)
- Nico (victory of the people)
- Ryan (little king)
- Rhisiart (brave ruler)
- Wesley (westward meadow)
Famous people with the name Calder:
- Calder Allen (folk singer)
- Calder Greenwood (visual effects artist)
- Calder Holbrook (actor)
- Calder Loth (architectural historian)
- CalderWilliam Reid (son of Olympic gold medalist Meaghan Mikkelson and ice hockey player Scott Reid)
- Calder Baynard Willingham Jr. (writer)
Calder in popular culture:
- Calder (rural locality in Tasmania, Australia)
- Calder Cup (championship trophy of the American Hockey League)
- Calder, Edmonton (neighborhood in Alberta, Canada)
- Calder Frost (hero in Frostbite by Deborah Bladon)
- Calder Quartet (musical ensemble founded in Los Angeles, California)
- Calder Park, Victoria (suburb of Melbourne, Australia)
- Calder Pillay (character in the Chasing Vermeer series)
- Calder White (protagonist of Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown)