What is the significance behind the names Calvin and Hobbes?

Let me add a few more points to Samarth's more definitive answer. Since Watterson is American, it stands to reason that he may be poking fun at his own countrymen (and women). read more

Both Calvin and Hobbes do share the names of philosophers, but I think that is a mixture of coincidence and a conscious attempt by Bill Watterson to give the comic deeper meaning. Interestingly, Calvin was originally going to be called "Marvin" and was only changed in July 1983 after a comic strip by Tom Armstrong having the same name was released in 1982. read more

Calvin and Hobbes is a daily comic strip by American cartoonist Bill Watterson that was syndicated from November 18, 1985 to December 31, 1995. Commonly cited as "the last great newspaper comic",[2][3] Calvin and Hobbes has evinced broad and enduring popularity, influence and academic interest. read more

The name Hobbes is a boy's name of English origin meaning "bright fame". Hobbes and is often added to user-created lists like Hipster one syllable names and discussed in our forums with posts like "Baby a Day". read more