Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kyla
GirlScottish, American (modern coinage)· “narrow strait; feminine of Kyle”
- Meaning
- narrow strait; feminine of Kyle
- Origin
- Scottish, American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- KY-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #580
- US babies 2025
- 512
- Best rank
- #162 (2004)
- Peak year
- 2004
Meaning and origin of Kyla
Kyla is a Scottish and American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “narrow strait; feminine of Kyle”.
Kyla is generally treated as a feminine form of Kyle, which comes from the Scottish Gaelic caol, meaning a narrow strait or channel, and from a district of Ayrshire called Kyle. Some sources also connect it with a Hebrew word for laurel or crown, but that link is less certain. Kyla has a soft, simple sound and fits in with names like Lyla and Myla. It has been used in English-speaking countries since the later twentieth century. Kyla is easy to spell and pronounce, and Ky is a natural nickname.
Popularity over time
Kyla first appears in US Social Security records in 1940. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 51 different years, starting in 1974. Its best national rank was #162 in 2004, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,038 babies. In 2025, 512 babies were named Kyla, and it ranked #580 nationally. That is 44% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #5,701 in 1950, #606 in 1980, #235 in 2000, #253 in 2010, and #580 in 2025. Of the 43,674 US girls named Kyla since records began, 37% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 9,474 babies. Since 2010, 12,860 more have been named Kyla.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Abby, Mariana, Delaney, Paris, and Nadia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kyla ranked highest in Hawaii, Iowa, and Kentucky.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #107 | 8 |
| Iowa | #367 | 9 |
| Kentucky | #376 | 12 |
| South Carolina | #392 | 13 |
| Virginia | #423 | 19 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kyla is usually pronounced KY-luh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with K and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Kyla
A few middle names that flow with Kyla: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kyla
Similar names
Kayla Girl
KAY-luh
“modern coinage; possibly from Kay” · American (modern coinage)
#364
Jayla Girl
JAY-luh
“blend of Jay and -la” · American (modern coinage)
#530
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
Briella Girl
bree-EH-luh
“short form of Gabriella” · American (modern coinage)
#362
Iyla Girl
EYE-luh
“modern name; uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#525
Isla Girl
EYE-luh
“from the Scottish island Islay” · Scottish
#28
Lyla Girl
LY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#80
Kylee Girl
KY-lee
“modern form of Kylie or Kyle” · American (modern coinage)
#876
Camryn Girl
KAM-rin
“crooked nose” · Scottish
#477
Kamryn Unisex
KAM-rihn
“crooked nose; variant of Cameron” · Scottish
#556
Kinley Girl
KIHN-lee
“son of the fair warrior” · Scottish
#692
Lists that include Kyla
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kyla mean?
Kyla is a Scottish and American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “narrow strait; feminine of Kyle”.
What is the origin of the name Kyla?
Kyla has Scottish and modern American roots. Kyla is generally treated as a feminine form of Kyle, which comes from the Scottish Gaelic caol, meaning a narrow strait or channel, and from a district of Ayrshire called Kyle.
Is Kyla a popular name?
Yes. Kyla ranked #580 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Kyla a boy or girl name?
Kyla is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kyla?
Kyla is usually pronounced KY-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