Declining since 2013, #983 for girls today.
Popularity of Skyla since 1959
Babies named Skyla per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 8 |
| 1960s | 46 |
| 1970s | 99 |
| 1980s | 281 |
| 1990s | 1,415 |
| 2000s | 4,651 |
| 2010s | 5,613 |
| 2020s | 2,231 |
Meaning & origin
Skyla is a modern invented name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1959, reflecting a pattern of nature-inspired coinages that gained popularity in the late 20th century. The name reached its peak usage in 2012, ranking 523rd, but has since been on a falling trajectory, dropping to 983rd in 2025. Despite the decline, it remains a distinctive choice, with about 1 in every 6,254 newborn girls receiving the name in 2025. Skyla's appeal is concentrated in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Carolina, where it saw higher usage, suggesting regional preferences for modern, melodic names. Its etymology is uncertain, but it is commonly interpreted as a feminine variant of Sky or a shortened form of Skylar, fitting a broader trend of names that evoke natural elements.
Skyla first appears in U.S. records in 1959, likely as a modern invented name blending the word "sky" with the fashionable -la suffix, a pattern seen in names like Kayla and Layla. It may also be a respelling of Skylar or a feminine variant of Sky. Its rise in the late 20th and early 21st centuries reflects a broader trend of nature-inspired coinages.
Where Skyla 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.
“Skyla” around the world
Where Skyla lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
New Zealand
14
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sky, Skye
Sibling names for Skyla
Names that share Skyla's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Skyla
Names whose popularity has moved with Skyla's over the last 50 years.
