Rising since 1985, #1,396 for girls today.
Popularity of Calla since 1880
Babies named Calla per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 79 |
| 1890s | 83 |
| 1900s | 51 |
| 1910s | 97 |
| 1920s | 100 |
| 1930s | 59 |
| 1940s | 52 |
| 1950s | 111 |
| 1960s | 51 |
| 1970s | 66 |
| 1980s | 266 |
| 1990s | 440 |
| 2000s | 770 |
| 2010s | 1,350 |
| 2020s | 833 |
Meaning & origin
Calla sits at a current rank of 1,396 (2025 data), with an incidence of 1 in 10,303 births. Though first recorded in 1880, it remained infrequent until a steady rise beginning in 1985. Its peak year to date is 2017, reflecting a broader revival of vintage and botanical names. Calla is most popular in Kansas, Tennessee, and Washington, states that often favor nature-inspired names. Its simple elegance and floral association make it a subtle but distinctive choice, away from the more common Lily or Rose.
Calla is often associated with the calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica), but its etymology is debated. It may derive from Greek 'kallos' (beauty), or be a variant of Cala, a short form of names like Calantha. The name gained modest use in the late 19th century, likely influenced by the flower name. It has remained relatively rare but has seen a recent uptick since the 1980s.
Where Calla is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Calla” around the world
Where Calla lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Callie
Sibling names for Calla
Names that share Calla's style, for a brother or sister.
