Kayla
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Crown of laurel, pure, beloved
Origin: Arabic/Hebrew/Irish
Popularity: Ranked #364 in 2025 with 838 babies born.
History: Kayla exploded in the 1980s after the character Kayla Brady appeared on Days of Our Lives — one of the most dramatic examples of a soap opera character creating a name trend. Before the show, Kayla barely existed. Within a decade it was top 20. Kayla represents the absolute power of American television to create names from thin air.
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Kayla? About 1 in 3,972 babies born in 2025 were named Kayla, or roughly 2.3 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Kayla
What does the name Kayla mean?
Kayla means “Crown of laurel, pure, beloved” from Arabic/Hebrew/Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Kayla?
Kayla has Arabic/Hebrew/Irish origin. The traditional meaning is “Crown of laurel, pure, beloved”.
How popular is Kayla?
Kayla ranked #364 in 2025 — given to 838 babies that year.
When was Kayla most popular?
Kayla peaked in 1991 with 18,545 babies registered that year.
Is Kayla a boy or girl name?
Kayla is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Kaylas in registered births are female.
Is the name Kayla rising or falling in popularity?
Kayla has fallen 148 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #216 in 2020 to #364 in 2025.
How long has Kayla been recorded?
Kayla appears in birth records across 91 years — from 1933 through 2025.