Rising since 2004, #5,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Kelilah since 1999
Babies named Kelilah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 31 |
| 2010s | 75 |
| 2020s | 114 |
Meaning & origin
Kelilah is a modern feminine name that emerged in the late 1990s and has been slowly gaining traction. It first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1999, and has been steadily rising since 2004. By 2025, it ranked 5,917th nationally, with a 1-in-80,363 frequency among newborn girls. The name reached its peak popularity in 2023, and its trajectory suggests continued growth. While its exact origins are uncertain, Kelilah likely draws from the Hebrew name Keilah, meaning 'citadel,' or from the trendy -lah suffix seen in names like Layla and Delilah. Its melodic sound and vague exotic feel appeal to parents seeking a distinctive but accessible name.
Kelilah is a modern coinage, likely formed by combining elements from names like Keilah (a Hebrew place name meaning 'citadel') or Kailah (of debated origin) with the popular -lah suffix. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1999 and has been rising in use since 2004, especially in the 2020s. Its exact derivation is uncertain, but it fits a pattern of melodic, feminine names ending in -lah.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Keli, Lilah, Kiki
Sibling names for Kelilah
Names that share Kelilah's style, for a brother or sister.
