Mumsnet Talk

Me and my DP both like the name but we've had some odd-ish reactions to it. I didn't (and still don't) think it's odd or rare but some people have commented how its 'unusual' or 'unique' the usual things you say when you don't like a name but don't want to be mean

Honest reactions please?

I think it's lovely and know two Calebs, otherwise it'd have been a contender for ds

Not keen. on a par with: Kai, Tyler and Kaden

We don't know any Caleb's that's why we like it and it's not too fussy or chavvy modern.

Any other suggestions for a boy? Nothing really chavvy modern and or weird and nothing super traditional like Matthew, Paul or John.

it definitely is chavvy round my way

Caleb is chavvy? Really? Wow...and here's me thinking that Biblical names can't be chavified!

I like it. I think the singer from kings of Leon is called Caleb. Random fact for you.

My brain loves random, useless facts...it's the important ones I have trouble with.

It's very Deep South.

It's lovely, not chavvy at all (unless you go spelling it wildly, like Kaleb or Kayleb)

Obviously I'm completely biased as I have a Caleb. I've Only met a couple of others, one from a very posh family. Never had a negative reaction to the name either.

I love Caleb! I thought it was fairly well known, although I don't know of any. I say go for it!

I quite like it but it means 'dog' in Hebrew which would put me off.

I think it is a wee bit chavvy - sorry.

What about:

Keir
Callum
Austin
Elliot
Lloyd
Aston
Gregor/y
Niall
Jonah

These things are all relative I think based on where you live and who you mix with. What can be, ahem, "popular" in some ares is actually quite classy in others - I think you have to really get some experience of how the naming in your area - maybe hang about the softplay and playpark

One of my uni friends used it. she lives in Canada with Canadian husband and it does seem one of those names which is more popular in the states. I quite like it.

It's ok. I know 2 - 1 is Canadian and the other is chavvy! Both are 3. I have a feeling the chavvy one is Kaleb.

I love it but dp says no, not chavvy here.

I met one this week 2.5/3 years old? Really wanted to say to his mum what a lovely name but too shy in a hurry.

Chavvy? This tot wasn't, nor his mum.

So the majority is positive and not chavvy? Woo. Thanks ladies!

We also like Jonah so it may end up being a toss between the two.

amck the naming in my area can be quite chavvy, all the little boys being born have very modern names like Miller, Kayden etc.

ellesabe dog is the literal translation, yes. Caleb was a follower of Moses and was extremely loyal and whole-hearted in his worship of the lord, that's why the name is linked with the word dog.

Yes ds is due in a few weeks but dp has said no as ds1&2 have c names

I like it.

moomin it would be a shame for ds3 to be odd one out...

How on earth can Caleb be chavvy? that's hilarious.
Its biblical.
Isn't a chavvy name something like "Bow-wow" or "Kev-kev"?

anonymosity

A name can become chavvy when it is used regularly by a certain portion of our society and is bawled out windows and in public places by teenage parents dressed in leisurewear whilst smoking and drinking cans of strong lager. Whether it is in the bible or not is irrelevant. btw I know that is a total steriotype - used simply to illustrate a point. I think the fact that you can change the C for a K and make some funky spellings seems to add to the chance that a name can become chavvy. Not saying that all K names are chavvy either. for example Katherine etc clearly isn't.

It obviously all varies by area and your own personal encounters too.

I also know a fair amount of "chavvy" families who have given their children classic names: William, Daniel, Nicholas, James, Anthony etc so I guess it isn't clear cut.

I think the name is lovely!

I like it - was on a friends shortlist along with Gabriel, Joel, Isiah, Zacharius, Jamieson and Tate.

I like it a lot - my slightly random literary association with it is Caleb Garth in Middlemarch...

Beautiful name

Caleb is one of my favourite people in the bible. He was brave and faithful and trusted Gods promises. The story of jacob has spies and battles and trumpets in it, hes a very cool person to be named after. I would vote yay for caleb

Correction story of caleb. Not jacob. Which I was also thinking is a great name. Or joshua