Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kayla
GirlAmerican (modern coinage)· “modern coinage; possibly from Kay”
- Meaning
- modern coinage; possibly from Kay
- Origin
- American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- KAY-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #364
- US babies 2025
- 838
- Best rank
- #11 (1995)
- Peak year
- 1991
Meaning and origin of Kayla
Kayla is an American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “modern coinage; possibly from Kay”.
Kayla is a modern English name whose origins are mixed. It is often treated as an elaboration of Kay, and it is also used as an anglicized form of the Yiddish Keyla, sometimes linked to a Hebrew word for crown or laurel, though that connection is not certain. It became widely used in the United States in the late twentieth century, helped by a character on a popular television soap opera. Kayla is bright, simple and easy to spell, with two soft syllables. Kaila, Kaylah and Cayla are related spellings.
Popularity over time
Kayla first appears in US Social Security records in 1933. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 66 different years, starting in 1959. Its best national rank was #11 in 1995, and the most babies received it in 1991, when 18,545 were named Kayla. In 2025, 838 babies were named Kayla, and it ranked #364 nationally. That is 69% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,536 in 1950, #590 in 1980, #13 in 2000, #49 in 2010, and #364 in 2025. Of the 346,570 US girls named Kayla since records began, 45% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 94,356 babies. Since 2010, 36,704 more have been named Kayla.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Megan, Elizabeth, Chelsea, Courtney, and Stephanie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kayla ranked highest in New Jersey, Maryland, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #117 | 65 |
| Maryland | #178 | 29 |
| New York | #209 | 82 |
| Massachusetts | #219 | 26 |
| New Mexico | #231 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kayla is usually pronounced KAY-luh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Kayla
A few middle names that flow with Kayla: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kayla
Similar names
Jayla Girl
JAY-luh
“blend of Jay and -la” · American (modern coinage)
#530
Kyla Girl
KY-luh
“narrow strait; feminine of Kyle” · Scottish
#580
Briella Girl
bree-EH-luh
“short form of Gabriella” · American (modern coinage)
#362
Nyla Girl
NY-luh
“uncertain; possibly one who succeeds” · American (modern coinage)
#236
Myla Girl
MY-luh
“variant of Mila or Miles” · American (modern coinage)
#210
Shayla Girl
SHAY-luh
“modern name; uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#1,793
Iyla Girl
EYE-luh
“modern name; uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#525
Shyla Girl
SHY-luh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#2,322
Kaila Girl
KAY-luh
“modern variant of Kayla” · American (modern coinage)
#2,133
Zola Girl
ZOH-luh
Italian
#1,338
Bella Girl
BEL-uh
“beautiful” · Italian
#136
Makayla Girl
muh-KAY-luh
“modern form of Michaela; who is like God?” · American (modern coinage)
#568
Lists that include Kayla
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kayla mean?
Kayla is an American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “modern coinage; possibly from Kay”.
What is the origin of the name Kayla?
Kayla has modern American roots. Kayla is a modern English name whose origins are mixed.
Is Kayla a popular name?
Yes. Kayla ranked #364 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kayla a boy or girl name?
Kayla is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kayla?
Kayla is usually pronounced KAY-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