Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Calla
GirlGreek, English· “calla lily; beauty”
- Meaning
- calla lily; beauty
- Origin
- Greek, English
- Pronunciation
- KAL-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,397
- US babies 2025
- 156
- Best rank
- #633 (1881)
- Peak year
- 2017
Meaning and origin of Calla
Calla is a Greek and English name that is usually said to mean “calla lily; beauty”.
Calla is the name of the calla lily, a graceful flower with a trumpet-shaped bloom often used in weddings. The plant name is often linked to the Greek kallos, meaning "beauty," though the botanical naming is not fully certain. As a given name, Calla is short, elegant and floral, fitting beside names like Lily and Clara. It also resembles Callie and Callista, which helps it feel familiar. Calla has a soft, two-syllable rhythm and a refined, understated charm.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kalla.
Popularity over time
Calla has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 13 different years. Its best national rank was #633 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 2017, when 176 were named Calla. In 2025, 156 babies were named Calla, and it ranked #1,397 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,483 in 1920, #3,075 in 1950, #8,269 in 1980, #2,599 in 2000, #1,614 in 2010, and #1,397 in 2025. Of the 4,408 US girls named Calla since records began, 31% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 833 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Haddie, Ayesha, Skylah, Alessa, and Zadie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Calla ranked highest in Kansas, Tennessee, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | #599 | 5 |
| Tennessee | #757 | 9 |
| Washington | #834 | 7 |
| Minnesota | #861 | 5 |
| North Carolina | #915 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Calla is usually pronounced KAL-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-la”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kalla.
Middle names for Calla
A few middle names that flow with Calla: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Calla
Similar names
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uh-ZAYL-yuh
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Lists that include Calla
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Calla mean?
Calla is a Greek and English name that is usually said to mean “calla lily; beauty”.
What is the origin of the name Calla?
Calla has Greek and English roots. Calla is the name of the calla lily, a graceful flower with a trumpet-shaped bloom often used in weddings.
Is Calla a popular name?
Not especially. Calla ranked #1,397 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Calla a boy or girl name?
Calla is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Calla?
Calla is usually pronounced KAL-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings