Declining since 2004, #566 for girls today.
Popularity of Makayla since 1971
Babies named Makayla per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 83 |
| 1980s | 593 |
| 1990s | 20,083 |
| 2000s | 54,990 |
| 2010s | 27,875 |
| 2020s | 4,406 |
Meaning & origin
Makayla emerged as a distinct spelling of Michaela in the United States around 1971, riding a wave of creatively spelled -a endings for girls. By 2008, it reached its peak rank, but its trajectory has been steadily downward since 2004, reflecting a broader shift away from early-2000s favorites. In 2025, approximately 1 in 3,033 newborn girls received the name, placing it at rank 566. The name saw its strongest regional use in Maryland, Nevada, and Georgia, consistent with Southern and Western states that often lead in creative spellings. Makayla's popularity was particularly high during the 2000s, though it has not experienced a revival since.
Makayla is a modern English variant of Michaela, the feminine form of Michael. The name Michael comes from the Hebrew phrase 'Mikha'el,' meaning 'Who is like God?' First recorded in the United States in 1971, Makayla became especially popular in the late 1990s and 2000s, rising into the top 100. Its popularity is part of a trend of female names ending in 'a' derived from masculine names.
Where Makayla 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.
“Makayla” around the world
Where Makayla lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mackie, Kayla, Maka
Sibling names for Makayla
Names that share Makayla's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Madison, Alyssa, Brianna, Hailey, Morgan, Abbigail, Haylee, Kaleah, Kaylani, Micayla, Nakayla, Ebonie, Emoni, Jaleah, Jaslynn, Kaelani, Kahlani, Markayla, Mykala, Alainah, Allyanna, Ambrielle, Brianny, Brihanna, Haili, Jakeria, Jalysa, Jamelia, Josalynn, Kadejah, Kaleigha, Katerin, Kayleah, Kaylena, Lamaria, Machaela, Mahayla, Makhia, Malaina, Mikelle, Mykia, Nikayla, Shaleah, Tariah, Ahlani, Ajayla, Akeria, Emonee, Jakaila, Jakyah, Jakylah, Jasamine, Jeslynn, Jniyah, Joanny, Jonasia, Kataleah, Kayliah, Kaylianna, Makaiah, Makalia, Makaylyn, Makila, Makyiah, Makyra, Mckinna, Mekhia, Mickala, Mikaelah, Mikalyn, Mikea, Mikeala, Mikyla, Nickayla, Shantea, Jakeya, Jalaina, Lakaya, Manelyk, Mikeila, Aariona, Abygayle, Akeylah, Derriana, Emonnie, Jakyiah, Jamarria, Jerriah, Kadeisha, Kaelea, Kailiyah, Kalanii, Kaleiyah, Kalyse, Kaydra, Kayleana, Kayliani, Leeasia, Mahaila, Makaleigh, Makaylen, Makilah, Makylee, Marcayla, Maykayla, Micalah, Mikailah, Mikhala, Mykela, Nyiesha, Reannah, Takyla
Brothers: Joshua, Logan, Caleb, Ethan, Zachary, Jamari, Malikai, Treveon, Damarius, Darrion, Demari, Isaih, Jakobe, Keondre, Breyon, Cincere, Isayah, Jacorian, Jahkari, Jaiquan, Jamarrion, Jaquavious, Jawon, Kayshawn, Kendarius, Makell, Markeese, Markese, Markis, Mikale, Mykael, Quadarius, Zachory, Zekiah, Avontae, Cortavious, Damarkus, Demarrion, Dreshaun, Jahquan, Jaishaun, Jakayden, Jakorey, Jashawn, Jermari, Jonovan, Kentavius, Makale, Markeis, Markelle, Markez, Mikyle, Quantavius, Jakolby, Armarion, Corderro, Damareon, Dreshon, Issaih, Jacorie, Jacorion, Jadarious, Jaeveon, Jamerion, Jmarion, Jonavon, Joshawn, Jsiah, Keimoni, Keyshun, Marcquis, Markai, Markeem, Meziah, Mykeal, Quintavis, Taiquan, Travarius, Tydarius, Zaiyden
Names like Makayla
Names whose popularity has moved with Makayla's over the last 50 years.
