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

Thoughts on Callan?

27 replies

ecossegirl91 · 28/04/2025 16:20

Baby boy due in about 7 weeks. Have a few ideas in my head but then I heard the name Callan (I’m Scottish so it’s not totally unusual here nor is it over used) and wondered people’s thoughts? It means brave and is of Irish / Scottish origin.

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Thelasttea · 28/04/2025 16:21

I think youth offender

Darkambergingerlily · 28/04/2025 16:22

I would think why not Callum

chipsandpeas · 28/04/2025 16:22

surname and im also scottish

RabbitsRock · 28/04/2025 16:22

I immediately think of the detective series with Edward Woodward

ecossegirl91 · 28/04/2025 16:23

Thelasttea · 28/04/2025 16:21

I think youth offender

🤣🤣🤣

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ecossegirl91 · 28/04/2025 16:24

chipsandpeas · 28/04/2025 16:22

surname and im also scottish

Oh really, I grew up with a Callan… tho he may have spelt it Callin.

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ThatJadeBiscuit · 28/04/2025 16:29

I prefer the Gaelic spelling (Cailean) but I think it’s a lovely name and not overly common.

Surroundedbyfools · 28/04/2025 16:33

I have one in my family. Cailean spelling. I really like the name !

Moreteaandchocolate · 28/04/2025 16:33

I think it’s lovely - my only hesitation would be it being misheard as Callum. Other than that I really like it.

GoodVibesHere · 28/04/2025 16:34

I wouldn't know how to pronounce it. Is it Cay-lan, or Cal-an, or Cal-un.

ecossegirl91 · 28/04/2025 16:36

Just on the national Scottish records website & didn’t realise it had gained so much traction recently!

Thoughts on Callan?
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Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 28/04/2025 16:44

I think of Callanetics - which I think was named after a woman called Callan.

username462025 · 28/04/2025 18:57

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Fioratourer · 28/04/2025 20:58

I think he will spend a lot of time correcting people from calling him Callum. How about kailen I’m not sure I’ve spelt that correctly!

CountingDownToSummer · 28/04/2025 21:37

I’m Scottish and have a family member called Cailean, I really like it.
I do like Callan also, I wouldn’t think you’d meant Callum

ecossegirl91 · 29/04/2025 09:58

Yeah unless I’m being naive I think in Scotland there wouldn’t be much Calum / callan confusion

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ThatJadeBiscuit · 29/04/2025 10:20

ecossegirl91 · 29/04/2025 09:58

Yeah unless I’m being naive I think in Scotland there wouldn’t be much Calum / callan confusion

I don’t think so either!

ecossegirl91 · 12/07/2025 16:42

Just to follow up we had a lovely baby boy and we settled on Callan 😃 had lots of lovely comments on his name and it really suits him. No regrets 🩵

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LucasBuck · 12/07/2025 17:03

Congrats! Callan is lovely, especially in Scotland (where it’s better established so I think there will be less confusion with Callum). Nn Cal is just so cool too.

Moreteaandchocolate · 12/07/2025 17:05

Congratulations! Lovely name and thanks for the update!

SqueamishHamish · 12/07/2025 17:08

Also Scottish and the first time I had even heard the name Callan was a couple of years ago and I am old! I like it but would be annoyed at correcting pronunciation and spelling.

SqueamishHamish · 12/07/2025 17:09

Just saw your message and congratulations!

Pinkflowersinavase · 12/07/2025 17:09

My thoughts are I do not like it but maybe it would be shortened to Cal.

teksquad · 12/07/2025 17:15

I really like it. Would get misheard as Callum though I think, whether you think thats an issue or not.

He will probably get called Cal by mates, my son has a Cal something name and they are all called Cal - Calums, Calebs, and Calvins.

ecossegirl91 · 14/07/2025 20:30

LucasBuck · 12/07/2025 17:03

Congrats! Callan is lovely, especially in Scotland (where it’s better established so I think there will be less confusion with Callum). Nn Cal is just so cool too.

Thank you! Agree with this that in Scotland callan/callum confusion is less likely!
I also like Cal as a nickname too, little cool kid haha 😎

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