Surname Kalle - Meaning and Origin
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Kalle: What does the surname Kalle mean?
The surname Kalle is a variation of the Old Germanic name Kahl or Kahle, which dates to the Early Middle Ages. It is derived from the Germanic term 'kahl', meaning 'bald'. This is reflected in the variants of this surname, such as 'Kahl', which refers to a person with a bald or shaved head. It can also be found as a distinctive patronymic, such as 'Kahler', 'Kaehler', and 'Kehler'.
The surname Kalle is most prominent in Germany, where it is still fairly common, as well as in the Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden. It is also present in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
The nickname of 'Kalle' was historically applied to men from the Middle Ages, especially those of a lower social status. This was likely due to a food that was associated with them, since 'Kalle' is derived from the Low German word 'kalle', meaning a type of nut-shaped cake. It is possible that this nickname may be linked with the profession of baking.
The meaning of the surname has changed over time, and 'Kalle' is now often seen as a term of affection for a friend or family member. This is especially true for Swedish families, where it is often used as an endearment, much like 'dear' or 'sweetheart'.
In modern times, the surname has been used as not just a family name but also a given name. This is most common in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, where there are many people with the first name 'Kalle'.
Order DNA origin analysisKalle: Where does the name Kalle come from?
The last name Kalle is most commonly found throughout Northern Europe, particularly in Sweden and Finland, as well as in Estonia and the Baltic region. It is also commonly found in most of the German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In the United States, Kalle is not a very common name, and it is usually found in ethnic enclaves such as German, Scandinavian, or Baltic, or among first or second generation immigrants from those countries. The name might also occasionally appear among the descendants of early 19th or 20th century immigrants.
This last name is derived from the Old German word for “strong” and was originally a byname adopted by a family who lived in a house with a strong foundation, or possibly a family of people with a strong character or a physical build. In Sweden, it has also been used as a metronymic form from the first name Kalle, which itself is derived from Greek or Hebrew names with similar meanings. Kalle means “good man" in Greek and “strong-minded” in Hebrew.
The 2019 US census does in fact list Kalle as a surname, with 643 individuals having it, representing 0.00024% of the population. However, the place of origin and the distribution of the Kalle family in the US are largely unknown.
Variations of the surname Kalle
The surname Kalle can be spelled in a variety of ways, including Kall, Kallee, Kalli, Calli, Kally, Kallay, Kalley, Kallea, and Kalleh. All of these variants are derived from the origins of the surname Kalle, which is of Germanic or Scandinavian origin.
It is believed that Kalle originated from the nickname of a person who was both cheerful and lively. Other possible origins can be traced back to the Old Germanic personal name Carl, which means “free man”. This name was popularized by Charlemagne, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the Karl as a variation of the surname.
The variations of the surname Kalle can also be found in various other languages, such as Dutch, where it is spelled as Kallee; in Danish, where it is spelled as Kal; and in Finnish, where it is spelled as Kalli or Kallea.
The surname Kalle also has several surnames derived from it, such as Callahan, Carley, Kalley, Calli, Kalson, Kallem, Kallman, Kallemeier, and Kallmeyer.
This surname is not overly common, but can be found in countries such as Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.
Famous people with the name Kalle
- Thomas Kalle, Swedish actor
- Carl Kalle, Swedish actor
- Ranel Kalle, Swedish actor
- David Kalle, British singer and songwriter
- Rasmus Kalle, Swedish singer-songwriter, producer, and actor
- Marko Kalle, Finnish football player
- Antti Kalle, Finnish ice hockey player
- Amanda Kalle, Swedish actress
- Pertti Kalle, Finnish actor
- Mikhail Kalle, Russian hockey player
- Olli Kalle, Finnish ice hockey player
- Joakim Kalle, Swedish ice hockey player
- Sofia Kalle, Swedish actress
- Harri Kalle, Finnish actor
- Sebastian Kalle, Finnish ice hockey player
- André Kalle, Finnish ice hockey player
- Matilda Kalle, Swedish singer
- Jakob Kalle, Finnish ice hockey player
- Lars Kalle, Finnish actor
- Pekka Kalle, Finnish Nordic combined skier