Surname Calle - Meaning and Origin
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Calle: What does the surname Calle mean?
The last name Calle is of Germanic origin and is a descriptive surname that came about during the Middle Ages when people began to use surnames to differentiate between others within a given community. The word 'Calle' is derived from the Old High German word 'kal' which means 'good, able, capable or clever'. It was used to refer to a person who was particularly talented in some way or had a special skill. Over time, it came to be associated with individuals who were resourceful, hardworking and talented, particularly those who possessed a sharp intellect, a strong work ethic and a talent for leadership.
In some instances, the name 'Calle' may have been used as a nickname for people who hailed from a particular region or village. It was also used to distinguish people of different nationalities; for example, 'Calle' could have been used to describe a person of German descent.
Today, the surname 'Calle' is still common, particularly among people from Hispanic, Italian and Scandinavian countries, and it is widely used in the US. It may also be encountered among families of German, Dutch and French descent.
Whether it is used to denote a certain talent, a desired character trait, a settlement or simply the country of origin, the last name 'Calle' certainly has a fascinating history.
Order DNA origin analysisCalle: Where does the name Calle come from?
The last name Calle is most common today in the Filipino and Latin American communities. In the Philippines, the surname Calle is a rare but academically important family name, one among a handful of historical native Filipino surnames. It is a patronymic name derived from the ancient Malayo-Polynesian language of the Philippines, and its meaning is associated with its Tagalog origins, which approximately translates as “stranger” or “foreigner”.
In Latin America, Calle is also a common last name. However, it is usually of Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian origin. In Spanish, “calle” is the word for “street”. It seems that early travelers and settlers took the name of the street where they lived and made it their own family name. Thus, in the Spanish-speaking world, the Calle surname may originally have referred to someone who lived on the “Calle” street.
In the United States, the last name is most often found in areas populated by the descendants of Latin American and Filipino immigrants. The name is especially popular in Florida, New Jersey, and California, where more than 60% of U.S. citizens identifying as Filipino or Hispanic-Latino live. It can also be found in other states like Texas and New York. Ultimately, the last name Calle is most common today in the Filipino and Latin American communities around the world.
Variations of the surname Calle
The surname Calle is of Spanish origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Latin word “calamus”, meaning “reed” or “cane”. This name was traditionally given to someone who lived near a reed bed or marsh. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Calle include:
Calla – This is a spelling variant of Calle, and is the Catalan and Portuguese spelling of the name.
Calleja – This is a Spanish spelling variant of Calle which means “passage” or “alley”.
Callejo – This is another Spanish spelling variant of Calle which has the same meaning.
Calo – This is a Portuguese, Galician and Occitan spelling variant of Calle and is derived from the Latin term “calamus”, meaning “reed” or “cane”.
Calles – This is the plural form of Calle and is a common surname in Spanish-speaking countries.
Callizo – This is another Spanish spelling variant of Calle and means “small passageway” or “alley”.
Calamos – This is a variant of Calle which is related to the Latin term “calamus”, meaning “reed” or “cane”.
Caller – This is an English spelling variant of Calle which is popular in the United States.
Calleiro – This is a Galician spelling variant of Calle and is derived from the Latin term “calamus”, meaning “reed” or “cane”.
Calleja – This is an Italian surname rooted in the Latin term “calamus”, meaning “reed” or “cane”.
Callejón - This is a Spanish surname derived from the Latin term “calamus”, meaning “reed” or “cane”, and means “small passage” or “alley”.
Callesio – This is a Spanish spelling variant of Calle and is also derived from the Latin word “calamus”, meaning “reed” or “cane”.
Callosa – This is a Spanish surname derived from the Latin term “calamus” and means “reed bed” or “marsh”.
Famous people with the name Calle
- Arturo Calle: Colombian fashion entrepreneur
- Gaby Calle: National Poetry Slam Champion
- Ramón Calle: Venezuelan saxophonist
- Tomas Calle: Swedish footballer
- Kandace Betancourt-Callet: British Painter
- Lucia Calle: Argentine tennis player
- Pacho Calle: Colombian singer-songwriter
- Angie Calle: Venezuelan model
- Roberto Calle: Mexican television host
- Iván Calle: Argentine racing cyclist