Declining since 1991, #364 for girls today.
Popularity of Kayla since 1933
Babies named Kayla per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 35 |
| 1940s | 161 |
| 1950s | 700 |
| 1960s | 1,488 |
| 1970s | 1,942 |
| 1980s | 55,291 |
| 1990s | 155,893 |
| 2000s | 94,356 |
| 2010s | 30,289 |
| 2020s | 6,415 |
Meaning & origin
Kayla is a modern American name that epitomizes the creative naming trends of the late 20th century. It first appeared on U.S. records in 1933 but truly took off in the 1980s, peaking in 1991 at rank 64. Since then, its popularity has steadily declined, and as of 2025 it ranks 364th, with 1 in 1,918 baby girls receiving the name. Kayla was especially well-liked in New Jersey, New Mexico, and Maryland, reflecting its broad but not universal appeal. The name's exact derivation is uncertain; it may have originated as a variant of Kaila, or as a blend of Katherine and Layla. Its rise coincided with a wave of similar-sounding names like Ayla, Mila, and Lila, making it a product of its era rather than a name with deep historical roots. Despite its downturn in popularity, Kayla remains a familiar and well-liked choice.
Kayla emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century as a modern coinage, possibly influenced by the popularity of names like Kaila and Michaela, or as a blend of Katherine and Layla. It gained rapid popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, peaking as a top 100 name. Its rise reflects a broader trend toward inventive, melodious feminine names. The name has no deep historical roots but has become widely used across English-speaking countries.
Where Kayla 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.
“Kayla” around the world
Where Kayla lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
380
babies in 2024
Ireland
36
babies in 2025
Quebec
#83
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kay, Kaye, Kiki
Sibling names for Kayla
Names that share Kayla's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Jasmine, Samantha, Alexandra, Brianna, Alyssa, Jayla, Alishia, Allyson, Alysa, Alysha, Breana, Breeanna, Britny, Bryana, Dayla, Dayna, Gayla, Jalyn, Janae, Jasmyn, Katelynn, Kori, Lesly, Micayla, Shalyn, Shayla, Tayla, Aaryn, Alyshia, Amberlynn, Ariyanna, Ashlei, Breauna, Breeana, Breeann, Breyanna, Briann, Briauna, Briona, Dayra, Jalynn, Joshlyn, Kailie, Kaylor, Kaysha, Leisha, Magan, Magen, Marlaina, Mikala, Raeanne, Rayanna, Rayla, Shalynn, Ahsley, Alacia, Alahna, Alainah, Aleaha, Alexiss, Aliesha, Allexis, Alyissa, Alyssah, Asheley, Ashlye, Brayla, Breahna, Breaunna, Breianna, Briahna, Brianah, Brieana, Bryann, Chelsae, Daila, Dezaray, Jacqlyn, Jaimy, Jannel, Jaysa, Jlynn, Kanyla, Keishla, Kersten, Khyla, Kurstin, Kyera, Leeana, Liann, Mahayla, Malyssa, Mashayla, Mayela, Maygan, Meika, Mickaela, Naylea, Sayla, Saylah, Shaela, Shalea, Shelsy, Sherly, Shyan, Tanyla, Tashayla, Allysha, Ashayla, Aubreanna, Breunna, Brianni, Destaney, Falen, Faren, Jaianna, Jassmin, Jayni, Jaysha, Jeidy, Jeyla, Jeymi, Kaileen, Karlea, Kayann, Kayna, Kayona, Kiyla, Korissa, Kyanne, Lakya, Leasha, Marshayla, Maryssa, Micala, Nickayla, Rakayla, Shaynna, Tamea, Teila, Tylasia, Zailah, Chelcy, Heydy, Jayel, Kenasia, Zakyla, Aalyssa, Allesha, Ashey, Aylssa, Breeonna, Briunna, Cheridan, Chrishelle, Deamber, Eryca, Jacayla, Jaszmine, Jenaye, Jenesa, Jesselle, Jhane, Jhayla, Jhoselin, Kahlee, Kaydra, Kayela, Kaysea, Keimya, Kerianna, Keyshla, Korryn, Kylena, Lakyla, Macaila, Malyiah, Meygan, Mikailah, Nashayla, Ryian, Shaiann, Shainna, Shalae, Shalay, Sheray, Stesha, Takeyla, Tanaiya, Tashianna, Tayra, Tiearra
Brothers: Brandon, Tyler, Dylan, Ryan, Justin, Jayden, Daylon, Dereck, Jaison, Jayson, Koby, Korey, Trace, Tristin, Zackery, Dalyn, Deegan, Jamier, Jasen, Jaycen, Jerrick, Jovon, Justen, Justyn, Kendric, Markel, Mychael, Mykal, Rasheen, Raylon, Tayshaun, Aaren, Dason, Deaven, Jaeson, Jaiven, Jashon, Jeston, Kalem, Kaven, Kayvion, Keivon, Keylon, Mikale, Shavar, Tylik, Tymere, Tysean, Tyvon, Bryen, Dquan, Jaelan, Jaimen, Jaisen, Jakel, Jayen, Jayjay, Jayzon, Jeret, Joshuan, Kaysan, Keny, Keyondre, Kurk, Marquay, Maykel, Mikyle, Shawan, Tasean, Trevone, Xayne, Breylan, Keithon, Jaken, Jakwan, Jaqua, Jathen, Jaysin, Jayvan, Jhordan, Jimel, Joquan, Justun, Kaylub, Kolyn, Kyier, Lakeem, Marquarius, Tejay, Zackrey, Zakye
Names like Kayla
Names whose popularity has moved with Kayla's over the last 50 years.
