Kayla
Kayla first appears in US records in 1933. It peaked in 1991, when 18,545 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 838.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Kayla popular?
Declining Kayla is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1991 peak.
| 2020s | 6,415 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 30,289 | |
| 2000s | 94,356 | |
| 1990s | 155,893 | |
| 1980s | 55,291 | |
| 1970s | 1,942 | |
| 1960s | 1,488 | |
| 1950s | 700 | |
| 1940s | 161 | |
| 1930s | 35 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Kayla mean?
Kayla is a modern American name, most likely a blend of Kay with Kayley or Michaela. It rose sharply in the late 1980s, helped by the soap opera Days of Our Lives.
Nicknames for Kayla
- Kay
Variants & spellings
- Cayla
- Kaila
- Kaylah
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Kayla a boy or a girl name?
Kayla is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Kayla a popular name right now?
Kayla is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 1991 peak.
How popular is the name Kayla?
In 2025, Kayla ranked #364 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Kayla most popular?
Kayla was most popular in 1991, when about 18,545 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Kayla?
Common nicknames for Kayla include Kay.