Kaela
Kaela is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pure or slender, derived from Gaelic and Greek origins.
Origin and history
Kaela is a feminine name considered a modern spelling variant of Kayla or Kaelen, which traces back to the Irish name Cael (meaning 'slender') or the Greek Katherine (meaning 'pure'). It emerged in modern U.S. naming trends alongside similar phonetic variations starting in the late 20th century. In the U.S., it experienced moderate usage through the 1990s and 2000s and remains a distinct alternative spelling today.
Popularity in the United States
6,358 babies in the United States have been named Kaela since 1880. It ranks #2135 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1970.
States where it is most popular
- CA (22.2 %)
- TX (10 %)
- NY (7.7 %)
- FL (6.4 %)
- MI (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 7 |
| 1970-1980 | 65 |
| 1980-1990 | 961 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,847 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,913 |
| 2010-2019 | 434 |
| 2020-2029 | 131 |
Nicknames
Kae, Kae-Kae
Fun facts
- Kaela developed as a modern phonetic variation of Kayla, popular in late 20th-century American naming trends.
- It shares roots with Gaelic names such as Caelen and Caoilinn, which signify slender or graceful.