Callum

Dove.

Callum is a Scottish boys’ name meaning “dove” through its Latin ancestor Columba. Its history connects it with Saint Columba, who arrived on the Scottish island of Iona in 563. That gives the name a particular place in view: a small island and its long monastic history. Calum, with one l, is the Gaelic form behind Callum. In English, Callum has two syllables, with the first stressed and a light second vowel. The opening sounds like the start of “cat”, rather than the word “call”. The crisp C and soft l and m give Callum an appealing contrast. It can feel sturdy without sounding severe, and the dove meaning adds a gentle image. For someone drawn to Scottish roots but a compact, contemporary feel, that balance may be its strongest attraction.

Etymology: A variant of Scottish Gaelic Calum, from the Latin name Columba.