Declining since 1997, #6,116 for girls today.
Popularity of Kaela since 1967
Babies named Kaela per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 7 |
| 1970s | 65 |
| 1980s | 961 |
| 1990s | 2,847 |
| 2000s | 1,913 |
| 2010s | 434 |
| 2020s | 131 |
Meaning & origin
Kaela first appeared on U.S. records in 1967 but saw its peak popularity in 1996, when it ranked 6,116. Since 1997, its usage has been falling, though it remains recognizable. The name is most commonly found in Texas. Kaela's appeal lies in its melodic sound and modern feel. It belongs to the wave of creative spellings that emerged in the late 20th century, offering a fresh twist on the more established Kayla.
Kaela is a modern coinage that emerged in the United States in the late 20th century, likely as a respelling or variant of Kayla. Kayla itself has several possible origins: it may derive from the Hebrew name Kelila meaning 'crown of laurels', or from the Arabic name Kaela meaning 'slender'. It could also be a feminine form of Michael. The spelling Kaela gained popularity in the 1990s, partly influenced by the trend of creative spellings.
Where Kaela is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kaela” around the world
Where Kaela lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kae, Kay, Kiki
Sibling names for Kaela
Names that share Kaela's style, for a brother or sister.
