Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Cal short for..?

49 replies

carol33wine · 27/06/2022 02:13

Me and DH really like the name Cal... but a bit too "nickname-y" for a proper name.
Calvin or Calum or Caleb?
Not sure which one is the better full version.. opinions?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
ReeseWitherfork · 27/06/2022 02:16

Not sure about Caleb because the “Cal” is pronounced differently. I think I prefer Calum to Calvin but don’t dislike either.

Pixiedust1234 · 27/06/2022 02:39

I always thought it was short for callum (2 l, never seen it spelt with 1), however there are plenty of famous people known as Cal
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cal_(given_name)

Luxa · 27/06/2022 07:23

Calvin

SpellingBeetle · 27/06/2022 07:26

Callin?

SpellingBeetle · 27/06/2022 07:28

Or Callen / Callan alternative spellings. We know one shortened to Cal but I can't remember which longer spelling they used

daisypond · 27/06/2022 07:31

I prefer Calvin or Calum.

@Pixiedust1234 Calum is the normal spelling, I believe Scottish. I only know Calums. I think Callum is an English “misspelling” of the Scottish name.

inappropriateraspberry · 27/06/2022 07:43

I immediately thought of Callie, a girls name! Why can't you just call him Cal?

FlatBottomedGirl · 27/06/2022 07:49

Calum is the best.

FishcakesWithTooMuchCoriander · 27/06/2022 07:52

daisypond · 27/06/2022 07:31

I prefer Calvin or Calum.

@Pixiedust1234 Calum is the normal spelling, I believe Scottish. I only know Calums. I think Callum is an English “misspelling” of the Scottish name.

Calum is the Gaelic spelling.

Callum is an anglicisation of sorts.

Mumofgirls2017 · 27/06/2022 07:58

Caleb, the others bit dated

could also go for Carter, Casper, Caspian, Cassius, Caius etc with a middle name beginning with L?

Cuckoo48 · 27/06/2022 08:08

I would definitely assume it was short for Calvin, but I guess Calum would also work.

Caleb doesn't work though, because there is no "Cal" sound in it

Verbena87 · 27/06/2022 08:10

Calum for sure. I like it.

KirstenBlest · 27/06/2022 09:16

Cal(l)um, Callan, Caliban, Callaghan, Caradog

inappropriateraspberry · 27/06/2022 09:25

Calzone? 😆

DuchessOfSausage · 27/06/2022 09:46

Caligula

Marymary987 · 27/06/2022 09:49

Callan or Callahan.

southlondoner02 · 27/06/2022 09:55

I know a few Khal's with a K. Short for Khalil or Khalid, which are Arabic names I think

AliBaliBears · 27/06/2022 23:20

I like Calum, and as PP have said one l is the usual spelling in Scotland.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 27/06/2022 23:30

Love Cal! - although agree it does seem like more of a nn/diminutive. I'm sure I've seen Cal listed as a nn for Charles and I'm wondering if you could even get away with it for Michael (as some pronounce it more like "My-Cal") - although obviously you risk DC deciding they prefer Charlie or Mike when older..

Primatrying · 27/06/2022 23:34

Caledon like the evil fiancé in Titanic!

DramaAlpaca · 27/06/2022 23:38

I know a Cal whose name is short for the Irish name Caolan.

Kanaloa · 27/06/2022 23:41

Calvin & Calum both are really nice. I probably would choose Calum because I just think it’s nice! It’s soft and gentle but also strong. Also it’s well known but not too popular. But I don’t think you can go wrong with Calvin either.

I probably wouldn’t go with something like Charles/Carter/Cassius/Micheal because to me it seems mad to name your kid Michael or Cassius so you can call him Cal. In that case you might as well name him James or William or Jackson and just call him Cal anyway.

PlasticsFantastic · 27/06/2022 23:59

Callan or Calum

AliceMcK · 28/06/2022 00:02

Kalel or Calel

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 28/06/2022 00:03

Calliope if you get a girl.