Callum is the Scottish form of Columba, the Latin name meaning "dove", a symbol of peace and of the Holy Spirit. Saint Columba, the Irish monk who founded the monastery of Iona in the sixth century, made it a beloved name in Scotland. Callum ranked number 1515 in 2000, entered the top 1000 in 2008 and has climbed every year since 2016 to number 118 in 2025, its best rank so far.