Boy · Scottish Gaelic (from Latin) · International · Christian
Callum
CallumSay it KAL-um
- Meaning
- Dove: Gaelic Calum, from Latin columba, the name of Saint Columba Lewis & Short, s.v. columba
- Say it
- KAL-um
- Other spellings
- Calum, Kallum
Callum
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Callum meaning
Callum is an international and Christian boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin (from Latin).
Dove: Gaelic Calum, from Latin columba, the name of Saint Columba
Callum is a Scottish form of Calum, the Gaelic name of Saint Columba. Britannica explains that the saint's baptismal name, Colum, comes from Latin columba, which Lewis & Short define as "a dove, a pigeon", a word Romans also used fondly for a loved one. Columba left Ireland around 563, founded the monastery on Iona and spread Christianity through Scotland, and the name has long been used there. The same saint is honoured in Malcolm, from Old Irish Máel Coluim, "servant of Columba". The dove is a sign of peace in many traditions, and Indian families will find the name easy to say.
Source: Lewis & Short, A Latin Dictionary (1879), s.v. columba · entry cŏlumba · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Lewis & Short, columba (Logeion) · Britannica, St. Columba · Online Etymology Dictionary, Malcolm
Famous namesakes
- Saint Columba (Colum Cille), Irish missionary to Scotland
Popularity abroad
- #118 United States, boys 2025 (up 40 from 158 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration - #251 England and Wales, boys 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.
Spellings
Callum · Calum · Kallum