Caleb

Caleb the son of Jephunneh, an Israelite who entered Canaan with Joshua.

Proper noun

  1. Caleb the son of Jephunneh, an Israelite who entered Canaan with Joshua.
    • Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. - 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […]...
  2. A male given name from Hebrew first used by Puritans.
    • "My brother's name was Caleb Peck." "What a fine old-fashioned name," said Mrs. Tabor. - 1976, Anne Tyler, Searching for Caleb, Berkley Books,New York, published 1983, →ISBN, page 14:

Origin

From Late Latin Caleb, Calebus, from Koine Greek Χάλεβ (Kháleb), from Biblical Hebrew כָּלֵב (Kālēḇ), possibly related to כֶּלֶב (keleḇ, “dog”), referring to the unconditional devotion of dogs to their masters.

Forms

Calebs Kaleb