Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kala
GirlSanskrit, Hawaiian· “Sanskrit "art, time"; Hawaiian form of Sarah”
- Meaning
- Sanskrit "art, time"; Hawaiian form of Sarah
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Hawaiian
- Pronunciation
- KAH-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #9,765
- US babies 2025
- 10
- Best rank
- #462 (1989)
- Peak year
- 1989
Meaning and origin of Kala
Kala is a Sanskrit and Hawaiian name that is usually said to mean “Sanskrit "art, time"; Hawaiian form of Sarah”.
Kala has more than one source. In Sanskrit, kala means "art" or "a small part," and the related kala means "time," so Kala is used as a name in India with those meanings. In Hawaiian, Kala is a form of Sarah, the Hebrew name meaning "princess," adapted to Hawaiian sounds. It is said KAH-luh. Readers of Edgar Rice Burroughs's Tarzan of the Apes know Kala as the ape who raises Tarzan. Because the sources are unrelated, families often choose the one they connect with. Kaila and Kalani are related Hawaiian names.
Popularity over time
Kala first appears in US Social Security records in 1943. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 16 different years, starting in 1982. Its best national rank was #462 in 1989, the same year it reached its highest count of 525 babies. In 2025, 10 babies were named Kala, and it ranked #9,765 nationally. That is 67% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,131 in 1950, #1,989 in 1980, #1,272 in 2000, #4,913 in 2010, and #9,765 in 2025. Of the 7,680 US girls named Kala since records began, 39% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 2,664 babies. Since 2010, 314 more have been named Kala.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Beatriz, Britany, Whitley, Stephany, and Shantel.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 96% of US babies named Kala over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Kala is usually pronounced KAH-luh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with K and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Kala
A few middle names that flow with Kala: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kala
Similar names
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SHY-luh
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Lila Girl
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Nala Girl
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Ila Girl
EE-luh
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Leela Girl
LEE-luh
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NEE-luh
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Kayla Girl
KAY-luh
“modern coinage; possibly from Kay” · American (modern coinage)
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Laila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
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Jayla Girl
JAY-luh
“blend of Jay and -la” · American (modern coinage)
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Kyla Girl
KY-luh
“narrow strait; feminine of Kyle” · Scottish
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Karla Girl
KAHR-luh
“free man” · German
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Lists that include Kala
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kala mean?
Kala is a Sanskrit and Hawaiian name that is usually said to mean “Sanskrit "art, time"; Hawaiian form of Sarah”.
What is the origin of the name Kala?
Kala has Sanskrit and Hawaiian roots. Kala has more than one source.
Is Kala a popular name?
Not especially. Kala ranked #9,765 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Kala a boy or girl name?
Kala is mainly a girl's name. About 96% of US babies named Kala over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Kala?
Kala is usually pronounced KAH-luh. 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