Declining since 1989, #10,107 for girls today.
Popularity of Cala since 1950
Babies named Cala per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 108 |
| 1990s | 185 |
| 2000s | 92 |
| 2010s | 57 |
| 2020s | 55 |
Meaning & origin
Cala is a rare name in the United States, first recorded in 1950 but never achieving widespread use. Its peak popularity occurred in 1990, though even then it remained uncommon. As of 2025, the name ranks 10,107, with approximately 1 in 178,585 newborn girls receiving the name. The trajectory of Cala's usage has been generally falling since 1989, reflecting a decline in interest over recent decades. The name is most likely a modern coinage or a diminutive of longer names like Calantha, lending it a fresh and melodic sound. Despite its rarity, Cala has not been strongly associated with any particular U.S. state in recent years.
The name Cala may be a modern invention or a diminutive of names like Calantha (from Greek 'beautiful flower') or a respelling of Kala (Hawaiian for 'princess'). Its use in the United States is relatively recent, with records from the mid-20th century, and it remains a rare choice.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Kala
Sibling names for Cala
Names that share Cala's style, for a brother or sister.
