Rising since 2018, #6,116 for girls today.
Popularity of Calah since 1981
Babies named Calah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 82 |
| 1990s | 196 |
| 2000s | 144 |
| 2010s | 59 |
| 2020s | 75 |
Meaning & origin
Calah is a modern American name that first appeared on the U.S. Social Security rolls in 1981. It remains uncommon; as of 2024 it ranked 6,116th, meaning roughly 1 in 84,593 newborns received the name. Its peak popularity occurred in 2000, though it has been rising again since 2018. The name is nearly always given to girls. Its origins are uncertain, likely a 20th-century coinage related to names like Kayla or Cal. Calah has no recorded ancient or literary history, making it a distinctly contemporary choice. It has not concentrated in any particular state but remains a rare, widely scattered name across the country.
Calah first appeared in the United States in the early 1980s. It is likely a modern coinage, possibly a feminine form of the name Cal or a creative respelling of Kayla. The name has no deep historical roots and is primarily an American invention of the late 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cali, Lala
Sibling names for Calah
Names that share Calah's style, for a brother or sister.
