Fun Facts About the Name Kayla
- A favorite of earlier generations: Kayla appeared in the U.S. top 100 in 2 separate runs, totaling 30 years. Its last run lasted 28 consecutive years, from 1986 through 2013.
- More than 347 thousand babies named Kayla: U.S. records list 347,135 babies given the name Kayla from 1880 through 2025. Even 574 boys received the name Kayla - about 1 boy for every 604 girls.
What Does the Name Kayla Mean?
Kayla is a modern English feminine given name usually said to mean 'pure' or 'crown of laurels.' The first meaning comes from the common derivation of Kayla as a feminine form of Kay, an English short form of Katherine. Katherine's ultimate origin, Greek Aikaterine, is uncertain, and its link to Greek katharos ('pure') is a later association rather than a secure literal etymology.
The second meaning comes from the Hebrew name Kelila, which means 'laurel' or 'crown.' The Irish name Cadhla, meaning 'slender' or 'fair,' is sometimes mentioned as well, but a similar sound alone does not show that the names share an origin.
Kayla Name History & Origins
Kayla is a relatively recent English name. One explanation treats it as Kay plus the feminine ending -la. Kay has been used as an independent English name since the Middle Ages as a short form of Katherine. In this derivation, Kayla shares the history of Katherine and its many European variants rather than descending from a single ancient name of its own.
The Hebrew name Kelila is older and means 'laurel' or 'crown.' It was used in Jewish communities, and Kayla is sometimes explained as an English form of it. This may account for the 'crown of laurels' meaning often attached to Kayla.
The Irish name Cadhla has its own separate history. Some modern sources list it as a source for Kayla, but the names are more likely to have influenced one another by sound than to share a documented origin.
Kayla was in use in the United States in the twentieth century and became more common in its later decades. It is also used in other English-speaking countries.
How Popular is the Name Kayla?
Kayla ranked among the top 100 U.S. names from 1983 through 1984, then returned in 1986 and remained through 2013.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #364 | 838 | 0.0521% |
| 2024 | #336 | 931 | 0.0577% |
| 2023 | #324 | 952 | 0.0594% |
| 2022 | #280 | 1,132 | 0.0691% |
| 2021 | #254 | 1,216 | 0.0742% |
| 2020 | #216 | 1,339 | 0.0829% |
| 2019 | #182 | 1,612 | 0.0961% |
| 2018 | #149 | 1,890 | 0.1111% |
| 2017 | #138 | 2,127 | 0.1232% |
| 2016 | #129 | 2,470 | 0.1394% |
| 2015 | #115 | 2,740 | 0.1535% |
| 2014 | #101 | 3,012 | 0.1687% |
| 2013 | #96 | 3,260 | 0.1858% |
| 2012 | #69 | 3,776 | 0.2145% |
| 2011 | #59 | 4,336 | 0.2465% |
| 2010 | #49 | 5,060 | 0.2847% |
| 2009 | #35 | 5,847 | 0.3183% |
| 2008 | #28 | 6,835 | 0.3615% |
| 2007 | #26 | 7,583 | 0.3944% |
| 2006 | #26 | 8,226 | 0.4327% |
| 2005 | #25 | 8,620 | 0.4665% |
| 2004 | #18 | 9,773 | 0.5323% |
| 2003 | #16 | 10,957 | 0.5997% |
| 2002 | #19 | 11,310 | 0.6294% |
| 2001 | #17 | 11,892 | 0.6605% |
| 2000 | #13 | 13,313 | 0.7331% |
| 1999 | #13 | 13,292 | 0.7494% |
| 1998 | #12 | 13,422 | 0.7596% |
| 1997 | #12 | 13,885 | 0.7977% |
| 1996 | #11 | 15,269 | 0.8710% |
| 1995 | #11 | 16,087 | 0.9148% |
| 1994 | #12 | 15,885 | 0.8896% |
| 1993 | #16 | 15,452 | 0.8542% |
| 1992 | #13 | 16,517 | 0.8958% |
| 1991 | #12 | 18,545 | 0.9891% |
| 1990 | #14 | 17,538 | 0.9238% |
| 1989 | #20 | 14,904 | 0.8084% |
| 1988 | #20 | 13,432 | 0.7543% |
| 1987 | #27 | 10,579 | 0.6085% |
| 1986 | #64 | 4,657 | 0.2715% |
| 1985 | #109 | 2,608 | 0.1516% |
| 1984 | #100 | 2,681 | 0.1592% |
| 1983 | #81 | 3,527 | 0.2111% |
| 1982 | #133 | 2,276 | 0.1344% |
| 1981 | #583 | 317 | 0.0190% |
| 1980 | #590 | 314 | 0.0189% |
| 1979 | #673 | 256 | 0.0159% |
| 1978 | #672 | 237 | 0.0155% |
| 1977 | #693 | 226 | 0.0147% |
| 1976 | #726 | 202 | 0.0138% |
| 1975 | #766 | 185 | 0.0127% |
| 1974 | #771 | 180 | 0.0123% |
| 1973 | #866 | 149 | 0.0102% |
| 1972 | #764 | 182 | 0.0120% |
| 1971 | #827 | 168 | 0.0101% |
| 1970 | #852 | 158 | 0.0090% |
| 1969 | #730 | 192 | 0.0114% |
| 1968 | #871 | 139 | 0.0085% |
| 1967 | #878 | 135 | 0.0082% |
| 1966 | #832 | 144 | 0.0085% |
| 1965 | #820 | 147 | 0.0083% |
| 1964 | #822 | 163 | 0.0086% |
| 1963 | #837 | 156 | 0.0081% |
| 1962 | #813 | 166 | 0.0084% |
| 1961 | #1,007 | 116 | 0.0057% |
| 1960 | #935 | 130 | 0.0064% |
| 1959 | #985 | 116 | 0.0057% |
| 1958 | #1,032 | 103 | 0.0051% |
| 1957 | #1,043 | 101 | 0.0049% |
| 1956 | #1,256 | 69 | 0.0034% |
| 1955 | #1,235 | 67 | 0.0034% |
| 1954 | #1,281 | 60 | 0.0031% |
| 1953 | #1,400 | 49 | 0.0026% |
| 1952 | #1,425 | 47 | 0.0025% |
| 1951 | #1,308 | 51 | 0.0028% |
| 1950 | #1,536 | 37 | 0.0022% |
| 1949 | #1,985 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 1948 | #1,723 | 30 | 0.0018% |
| 1947 | #2,581 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1946 | #1,947 | 23 | 0.0015% |
| 1945 | #2,834 | 11 | 0.0008% |
| 1944 | #2,343 | 15 | 0.0011% |
| 1943 | #2,777 | 12 | 0.0009% |
| 1942 | #2,600 | 13 | 0.0010% |
| 1941 | #2,756 | 11 | 0.0009% |
| 1940 | #4,102 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1939 | #3,028 | 9 | 0.0008% |
| 1938 | #3,052 | 9 | 0.0008% |
| 1937 | #4,040 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1935 | #4,555 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1933 | #3,980 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | #13,149 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2018 | #13,172 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2013 | #10,209 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2011 | #13,359 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #9,247 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2009 | #11,742 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #8,666 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 2007 | #6,102 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 2005 | #4,394 | 20 | 0.0010% |
| 2004 | #2,672 | 40 | 0.0020% |
| 2003 | #3,788 | 23 | 0.0012% |
| 2002 | #5,270 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 2001 | #4,590 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2000 | #4,484 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 1999 | #3,322 | 24 | 0.0012% |
| 1998 | #4,303 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 1997 | #4,575 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1996 | #3,254 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 1995 | #3,375 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 1994 | #3,172 | 22 | 0.0011% |
| 1993 | #2,904 | 24 | 0.0012% |
| 1992 | #2,234 | 34 | 0.0017% |
| 1991 | #2,118 | 35 | 0.0017% |
| 1990 | #3,242 | 19 | 0.0009% |
| 1989 | #1,669 | 47 | 0.0023% |
| 1988 | #1,585 | 46 | 0.0024% |
| 1987 | #3,018 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 1986 | #3,353 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1985 | #3,018 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1984 | #4,776 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1983 | #5,875 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Explore Name Lists Featuring Kayla
Carl appears in several baby name collections based on U.S. popularity records, naming trends, and name characteristics. Explore these lists to discover other names with similar histories, styles, or features.
Past Favorite Girl Names
Explore More Lists with Name Kayla
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with K
Short Girl Names That Start with K
How the Name Kayla Shapes Your Personality and Life?
EXTREMES in fortune, health and spirituality. You are very versatile, idealistic and intuitive. You either enjoy great success or suffer abject misery. The solution is service to others. Use your leadership abilities for humanity and not for self-glorification. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Kayla's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Kayla's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.