Declining since 1999, #746 for girls today.
Popularity of Mikayla since 1970
Babies named Mikayla per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 52 |
| 1980s | 736 |
| 1990s | 18,746 |
| 2000s | 23,732 |
| 2010s | 10,758 |
| 2020s | 2,689 |
Meaning & origin
Mikayla first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1970, a modern respelling of the traditional Hebrew name Michaela. The spelling surged in the 1990s, peaking in 1998 as the 746th most popular name, and has since fallen steadily from 1999 onward. In 2025, approximately 1 in 4,416 girls received the name, maintaining moderate use. The variant is particularly common in Connecticut, Maryland, and Florida, reflecting regional preference for the 'Mikayla' spelling over other forms like Michaela or Mckayla. While its meaning echoes the ancient question 'who is like God?', the name's rise reflects broader trends in creative respelling and the feminine -la suffix.
Mikayla is a modern English respelling of the Hebrew name Michaela (מיכאלה), the feminine form of Michael (מיכאל), from the rhetorical question 'mi ka'el' meaning 'who is like God?'. The name gained popularity in the United States beginning in the 1970s, and the 'Mikayla' spelling rose sharply in the 1990s, becoming one of several popular variants of the traditional Michaela.
Where Mikayla 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.
“Mikayla” around the world
Where Mikayla lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Quebec
11
babies in 2025
Sources: NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mika, Kayla, Mickey, Mikki
Sibling names for Mikayla
Names that share Mikayla's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Kaitlyn, Madison, Alyssa, Sarah, Emily, Jakayla, Alyanna, Danasia, Lakayla, Shakayla, Shaniyah, Airianna, Dajanae, Davionna, Dejanae, Jakyra, Johnae, Karrah, Kayliana, Kieara, Nachelle, Shanyah, Sharayah, Tacara, Tamiah, Zakayla, Amarionna, Danajah, Dashae, Deshayla, Jakala, Jakaylah, Jamekia, Jamese, Jameya, Janiylah, Jayliah, Jermani, Joeli, Kenyanna, Kieanna, Kyliyah, Lakyra, Leeandra, Mikyah, Nijae, Rakayla, Seniyah, Shawntavia, Terrionna, Tichina, Tikia, Tranae, Dajana, Jaleiah, Janiaya, Tykera, Abryana, Adreona, Alailah, Breniya, Daijanae, Dajanay, Dakiyah, Elaisha, Jakyrah, Jesselle, Jonai, Joniya, Kamyri, Kanylah, Kariel, Keshona, Kimiyah, Lakiyah, Mikeria, Nashayla, Nikiah, Samariya, Takeyla, Takiera, Takyah, Tanyiah, Tanylah, Tatayana, Tishara
Brothers: Tyler, Zachary, Joshua, Brandon, Matthew, Javontae, Montrell, Devontay, Jamare, Mikale, Decari, Dontavius, Kedarius, Kiandre, Raequan, Antavion, Isaiyah, Jacarius, Jakavion, Nayshawn, Tavarious
Names like Mikayla
Names whose popularity has moved with Mikayla's over the last 50 years.
