How to say it
KAY · la
ˈkeɪ.lə
Feminine
Kayla
Crown, laurel, or a modern blend
What it means
Largely a modern American coinage (Kay plus -la, or a short of Michaela); also linked to the Hebrew Kelila, 'crown, laurel.'
Kayla is mostly a modern American invention, read as Kay plus the popular -la ending, or as a clip of Michaela. It also connects to the Hebrew Kelila, 'crown' or 'laurel.' It exploded in the late 1980s and 1990s, helped along by a long-running Days of Our Lives character, and it now reads as a signature name of that era. Kay is the natural short.
How to spell Kayla
The standard spelling is Kayla. Common variants include Kaila, Kaylah, Cayla, but Kayla is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #11 in 1995, currently #364 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Mostly a modern coinage; sometimes tied to the Hebrew Kelila, 'crown.'
- Pop culture
A Days of Our Lives character helped drive its 1980s-90s surge.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Kayla Harrison American Olympic gold-medal judoka
Spelling variants
- Kaila
- Kaylah
- Cayla
Names with the same feeling
See Kayla from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Kayla mean?
- Largely a modern American coinage (Kay plus -la, or a short of Michaela); also linked to the Hebrew Kelila, 'crown, laurel.'
- What does Kayla mean in English?
- In English, Kayla means "Crown, laurel, or a modern blend." Kayla is mostly a modern American invention, read as Kay plus the popular -la ending, or as a clip of Michaela. It also connects to the Hebrew Kelila, 'crown' or 'laurel.' It exploded in the late 1980s and 1990s, helped along by a long-running Days of Our Lives character, and it now reads as a signature name of that era. Kay is the natural short.
- How do you pronounce Kayla?
- Kayla is pronounced ˈkeɪ.lə. Say it as KAY-la, with the stress on the "kay" syllable.
- How do you spell Kayla?
- The standard spelling is Kayla. Common spelling variants include Kaila, Kaylah, Cayla.
- Is Kayla a boy or girl name?
- Kayla is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Kayla?
- Kayla ranked #364 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.