Declining since 1999, #7,491 for girls today.
Popularity of Caila since 1985
Babies named Caila per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 126 |
| 1990s | 479 |
| 2000s | 387 |
| 2010s | 187 |
| 2020s | 97 |
Meaning & origin
Caila is a modern American name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1985. It saw its peak popularity in 1999, after which its usage has steadily declined. As of 2025, it ranks 7,491, with only about 1 in 114,805 baby girls receiving the name. Its etymology is uncertain, but it is commonly viewed as a respelling of Kayla, itself an Anglicized form of the Irish Caoilfhionn, meaning 'slender and fair.' The name fits a trend of creative, phonetic spellings that emerged in the late 20th century, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar sound. While not historically widespread, Caila has a gentle, melodic quality that aligns with popular names like Mila and Isla.
Caila is a modern American coinage, likely a respelling or variant of Kayla, which itself derives from the Irish name Caoilfhionn (from caol 'slender' and fionn 'fair'). It emerged in the late 20th century and gained modest use in the 1990s.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Caila
Names that share Caila's style, for a brother or sister.
