Given name & surname
Calhoun
“from the narrow forest”
Calhoun is used as a given name and a surname. One interpretation is “from the narrow forest.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One interpretation is “from the narrow forest.”
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1886. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Calhoun through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 300
- 300 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2024
- 16 babies
- 2025
- 10
- #7,766 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −2%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 10 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 7,766 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 2.0% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, South Carolina had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (5). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 216 as a first name in 2020; 41,347 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Calhoun’s family of names
Calhoun has a related form in Callhoun. Calhoun has a related form in Coillcumhann. Calhoun has a related form in Colguhoun.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Calhoun, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Conway
“the hound of the plain; from the sacred river”
99% boys · 1% girls
Oren
“from the pine tree” · “a pale-skinned man”
99% boys · 1% girls
Leith
“from the broad river”
>99% boys
Kai
Kai is used in several naming traditions, with different explanations for the same spelling.
93% boys · 7% girls
Carberry
“tree”
—
Heremon
“a friend of the sea” · “a triend of the sea”
>99% boys
Murdo
“from the sea”
>99% boys
Dalrymple
“field, meadow”
>99% boys