Declining since 1989, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Kala since 1943
Babies named Kala per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 50 |
| 1950s | 149 |
| 1960s | 298 |
| 1970s | 425 |
| 1980s | 2,664 |
| 1990s | 2,996 |
| 2000s | 784 |
| 2010s | 225 |
| 2020s | 89 |
Meaning & origin
Kala first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1943, a relatively late start compared to many traditional names. Its peak year came in 1989, when it reached its highest rank. However, the name has been declining in use since 1989, and by 2025 it ranked 9,457 with only about 1 in 160,727 newborn girls receiving the name. This trajectory places Kala as a rare but not unheard-of choice. Its multiple possible origins (Sanskrit and Hawaiian) give it an exotic appeal, but its lack of a single dominant meaning may contribute to its modest usage. Despite its rarity, Kala has maintained a consistent presence for over 80 years, never fully disappearing from the charts.
Kala has multiple potential origins. In Sanskrit, काल (kāla) means 'time' or 'black', and कला (kalā) means 'art' or 'skill'. In Hawaiian, 'kala' means 'sun' or 'to forgive'. The name also appears in Finnish as a short form of Kalervo, though this usage is rare in English-speaking contexts. Its use in the United States has been modest but persistent since the 1940s.
Where Kala 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.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Kala
Names that share Kala's style, for a brother or sister.
