Declining since 2009, #6,546 for girls today.
Popularity of Kilah since 1979
Babies named Kilah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 9 |
| 1980s | 27 |
| 1990s | 66 |
| 2000s | 170 |
| 2010s | 127 |
| 2020s | 58 |
Meaning & origin
Kilah is a modern name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1979. It reached its peak popularity in 2009, but has been on a declining trajectory since then, ranking 6,546 in 2025 with an incidence of about 1 in 94,545 births. The name's origins are unclear; it may be a creative respelling of names like Kyla or a entirely invented coinage. Despite its uncertain etymology, Kilah has a soft, melodic sound that fits with contemporary naming trends favoring short, vowel-ending names. It has not been strongly associated with any particular region or cultural group, and its usage remains relatively rare.
Kilah first appeared in the United States in 1979. It is likely a modern coinage, possibly influenced by names like Kyla, Kayla, or Lila. Its usage has been sporadic, with peak popularity in 2009. The name does not have a clear ancient etymology.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ki, Kiki
Variants: Kila
Sibling names for Kilah
Names that share Kilah's style, for a brother or sister.
