Calhoun as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Calhoun

What is the meaning of the name Calhoun ?

The baby name Calhoun is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced KAL-hoon (IPA: /kælˈhuːn/).

Calhoun is Scottish in Origin.

Calhoun is a Scottish surname-turned-given name pronounced kal-HOON. It descends from the place-name Colquhoun in Dunbartonshire, borne by the clan of Luss on Loch Lomond. The toponym is analyzed from Scottish Gaelic cùil “nook, corner” + cumhann “narrow,” yielding the meaning “narrow corner” or “from the narrow nook.” Through migration to Ulster and later North America, the spelling simplified to Calhoun and Colhoun, while Colquhoun remained the traditional Scottish form.

As a given name in the United States, Calhoun surfaced in the 19th century with the rise of surname fashion and the prominence of statesman John C. Calhoun, lending it a Southern tone. Usage has stayed uncommon but steady, with periodic revivals alongside surnames-as-firsts. Common variants and spellings include Calhoon, Colhoun, Colquhoun, and Cahoon; short form Cal is intuitive. The name’s mix of clan heritage, geographic meaning, and crisp rhythm appeals to families seeking a distinctive, history-rich choice.