Rising since 2000, #1,611 for girls today.
Popularity of Kalayah since 1998
Babies named Kalayah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 7 |
| 2000s | 184 |
| 2010s | 527 |
| 2020s | 724 |
Meaning & origin
Kalayah is a modern American coinage that first appeared in Social Security records in 1998. It seems to be a creative blend of the trendy 'Ka-' or 'Kala-' prefix with the melodic '-yah' suffix found in names like Aaliyah. While the name lacks a long history or clear linguistic derivation, it has seen steady growth in usage since the turn of the millennium, consistent with the broader preference for invented, lyrical female names. Kalayah reached its peak rank of 1611 in 2025, and its trajectory has been rising since 2000. The name is most popular in southern states, with South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alabama recording the highest usage per capita.
Kalayah first appeared in U.S. records in 1998. It is likely a modern coinage, blending the popular prefix 'Kala-' or 'Ka-' with the fashionable '-yah' suffix. The name shows no clear derivation from established naming traditions, and its meaning is unattested in any language.
Where Kalayah is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kala, Kay, Layah
Sibling names for Kalayah
Names that share Kalayah's style, for a brother or sister.
