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Kalila vs Sumaya

Which is more popular?
Kalila and Sumaya are given to a similar number of US babies today.
KalilaSumaya
Meaning Beloved, sweetheart Little distinguishing mark; (also read as 'exalted')
Origin arabic arabic
Gender Girl Girl
Pronunciation kah-LEE-lah soo-MY-yah
Syllables 3 3
First appeared00
Peak year2019 (67)2016 (109)
In 202500
TrendRisingSteady
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Kalila Sumaya
198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeKalilaSumaya
2020s 280 413
2010s 420 923
2000s 210 631
1990s 151 144
1980s 85 26
1970s 22 0
1960s 0 5

What does Kalila mean?

An Arabic feminine name linked to the root kh-l-l behind khalil 'close friend, companion, beloved'. Sources give both 'beloved/sweetheart' and 'dear friend'; the 'friend' sense is the more literal core, so treat 'beloved' as the affectionate extension.

What does Sumaya mean?

Sumaya (سمية, Sumayya) is a diminutive whose root is debated: classical research links it to the root w-s-m, giving 'a small distinguishing mark' and figuratively 'unique, special', while other sources derive it from s-m-w ('high, elevated') for a sense of 'exalted'. It is historically revered as the name of Sumayya bint Khayyat, regarded as the first martyr of Islam. Also spelled Sumayya or Sumayyah.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kalila or Sumaya more popular?

Kalila and Sumaya are given to a similar number of US babies today.

What is the difference between Kalila and Sumaya?

Kalila means Beloved, sweetheart (arabic origin), while Sumaya means Little distinguishing mark; (also read as 'exalted') (arabic origin).

Which name is older, Kalila or Sumaya?

In US records, Kalila first appears in 0 and Sumaya in 0, so Kalila has the longer recorded history.