Girl · 21st of 35,406
Kayla
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
346,297
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1991
Peak Popularity Year
18,580
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kayla stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Kayla has modern American origins, thought to derive from Hebrew or Yiddish roots meaning 'crown' or 'pure'. It evolved from names like Kaila and Keila. Kayla gained popularity in the U.S. during the late 20th century and is associated with a youthful and friendly image. There is no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkeɪlə/
Origin
Modern American
Etymology
The name Kayla is often thought to be derived from the Hebrew name 'Keila' meaning 'a fortress' or 'the crown'. It may also be linked to the Yiddish name 'Kaila', which is a diminutive of 'Kailah'.
Meaning
crown, laurel, pure
Language Evolution
Kaila, Keila, Kayla
Historical Usage
Kayla gained popularity in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a fashionable name among parents.
Variants & Derivatives
Kaila, Keila, Kailah
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Kayla is perceived as a trendy and youthful name, often associated with a friendly and approachable personality.
Famous People
Kayla Harrison - Olympic judoka, Kayla Itsines - fitness influencer, Kayla Ewell - actress
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 18,580 peak births in 1991
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 11 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2877th of 16616 | 330 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5497th of 24088 | 227 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 17359th of 23106 | 17 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3834th of 9204 | 103 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1148th of 12526 | 1,524 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 765th of 19264 | 3,014 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 26th of 27321 | 170,274 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 21st of 35406 | 148,127 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 153rd of 30306 | 22,681 |