Caleb

Caleb is a Hebrew name appearing in the Old Testament, most likely derived from the root meaning dog, though some scholars connect it to a word meaning whole-hearted or devoted. In the Bible, Caleb is one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan and is praised for his faithfulness, which helped establish the name's enduring positive associations. It was taken up enthusiastically by Puritan settlers in England and America during the seventeenth century. Kaleb is a common variant spelling, and the name also appears as Kalev in modern Hebrew.