Kala
Every Kala since 1943 — 7,772 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kala
Kala is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #9,765 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1943, 7,772 American babies have been named Kala. Its peak came in 1989, when 533 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kala stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kala year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #9,765 | — | — |
| 2024 | 12 | #8,686 | — | — |
| 2023 | 18 | #6,537 | — | — |
| 2022 | 12 | #8,773 | — | — |
| 2021 | 15 | #7,443 | — | — |
| 2020 | 22 | #5,562 | — | — |
| 2019 | 20 | #6,072 | — | — |
| 2018 | 19 | #6,374 | — | — |
| 2017 | 22 | #5,740 | — | — |
| 2016 | 30 | #4,677 | — | — |
| 2015 | 30 | #4,653 | — | — |
| 2014 | 14 | #8,266 | — | — |
| 2013 | 22 | #5,915 | — | — |
| 2012 | 23 | #5,791 | — | — |
| 2011 | 16 | #7,602 | — | — |
| 2010 | 29 | #4,913 | 6 | #11,465 |
| 2009 | 26 | #5,460 | 5 | #13,474 |
| 2008 | 55 | #3,100 | 6 | #11,814 |
| 2007 | 33 | #4,518 | — | — |
| 2006 | 47 | #3,441 | — | — |
| 2005 | 61 | #2,744 | — | — |
| 2004 | 75 | #2,315 | — | — |
| 2003 | 80 | #2,177 | — | — |
| 2002 | 118 | #1,577 | — | — |
| 2001 | 136 | #1,401 | — | — |
| 2000 | 153 | #1,272 | 6 | #9,703 |
| 1995 | 308 | #693 | — | — |
| 1990 | 438 | #543 | — | — |
| 1985 | 223 | #766 | — | — |
| 1980 | 53 | #1,989 | — | — |
| 1975 | 36 | #2,294 | 6 | #5,123 |
| 1970 | 38 | #2,140 | — | — |
| 1965 | 25 | #2,432 | — | — |
| 1960 | 30 | #2,124 | — | — |
| 1955 | 19 | #2,586 | — | — |
| 1950 | 8 | #4,131 | — | — |
| 1945 | 5 | #4,893 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kala in 2025?
Kala ranked #9,765 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kala?
7,772 babies have been named Kala in the United States since 1943, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kala most popular?
Kala peaked in 1989, when 533 newborns received the name.
Is Kala a boy or girl name?
Kala is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kala rising or falling?
Kala is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.