Kalila

Meaning & origin

Kalila is a name with a literary pedigree and multicultural appeal, though its precise etymology remains debated. First recorded in the U.S. in 1977, Kalila has seen a steady rise in usage since 1987, climbing to its peak rank in 2019. In 2025, it ranked 3100 with about 1 in 30,909 girls receiving the name, indicating a rare but growing choice. The name is most popular in Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas, suggesting a concentration in the South and Southwest. Its sound fits well with other Arabic-inspired names like Layla and Amira, while its connection to the classic fable 'Kalila wa Dimna' gives it a timeless yet distinct quality. As a modern American adoption, Kalila balances exoticness with easy pronunciation, appealing to parents seeking a name that stands out without being unfamiliar.

Kalila is a name of uncertain derivation, most often linked to Arabic roots. It may be a feminine form of Khalil, meaning 'friend' or 'companion', or related to the Arabic word qalīl meaning 'little, few'. The name appears in the title of the classic Arabic collection of fables 'Kalila wa Dimna', where Kalila is a wise jackal, which has lent the name literary associations. In the United States, Kalila has been in use since the late 1970s, and its adoption likely draws from both the Arabic heritage and the popular trend for names ending in -a.