Kayla
A modern invention possibly based on Kay or Michaela; possibly formed on the pattern of Layla.
Every Kayla since 1933 — 347,144 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kayla
Kayla is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #364 in 2025 with 838 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1933, 347,144 American babies have been named Kayla. Its peak came in 1991, when 18,580 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Kayla stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kayla 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 | 838 | #364 | — | — |
| 2024 | 935 | #336 | — | — |
| 2023 | 952 | #324 | — | — |
| 2022 | 1,133 | #280 | — | — |
| 2021 | 1,217 | #254 | — | — |
| 2020 | 1,340 | #216 | — | — |
| 2019 | 1,613 | #182 | 5 | #13,157 |
| 2018 | 1,892 | #149 | 5 | #13,180 |
| 2017 | 2,128 | #138 | — | — |
| 2016 | 2,471 | #129 | — | — |
| 2015 | 2,740 | #116 | — | — |
| 2014 | 3,012 | #101 | — | — |
| 2013 | 3,261 | #96 | 7 | #10,212 |
| 2012 | 3,776 | #69 | — | — |
| 2011 | 4,336 | #59 | 5 | #13,359 |
| 2010 | 5,060 | #49 | 8 | #9,250 |
| 2009 | 5,847 | #35 | 6 | #11,742 |
| 2008 | 6,835 | #28 | 9 | #8,666 |
| 2007 | 7,583 | #26 | 14 | #6,104 |
| 2006 | 8,226 | #26 | — | — |
| 2005 | 8,620 | #25 | 20 | #4,395 |
| 2004 | 9,773 | #18 | 40 | #2,672 |
| 2003 | 10,957 | #16 | 23 | #3,788 |
| 2002 | 11,310 | #19 | 14 | #5,270 |
| 2001 | 11,892 | #17 | 17 | #4,590 |
| 2000 | 13,313 | #13 | 17 | #4,485 |
| 1995 | 16,087 | #11 | 20 | #3,375 |
| 1990 | 17,538 | #14 | 19 | #3,242 |
| 1985 | 2,608 | #109 | 16 | #3,019 |
| 1980 | 314 | #590 | — | — |
| 1975 | 185 | #766 | — | — |
| 1970 | 158 | #854 | — | — |
| 1965 | 147 | #820 | — | — |
| 1960 | 130 | #936 | — | — |
| 1955 | 67 | #1,235 | — | — |
| 1950 | 37 | #1,536 | — | — |
| 1945 | 11 | #2,834 | — | — |
| 1940 | 6 | #4,102 | — | — |
| 1935 | 5 | #4,555 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Kayla
- Kayla Ewell Actor · b. 1985
- Kayla Harrison Athlete · b. 1990
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kayla mean?
A modern invention possibly based on Kay or Michaela; possibly formed on the pattern of Layla.
How popular is the name Kayla in 2025?
Kayla ranked #364 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 838 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kayla?
347,144 babies have been named Kayla in the United States since 1933, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kayla most popular?
Kayla peaked in 1991, when 18,580 newborns received the name.
Is Kayla a boy or girl name?
Kayla is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kayla rising or falling?
Kayla is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Kayla?
Well-known people named Kayla include Kayla Ewell (actor), Kayla Harrison (athlete).