Makala
Makala is a girl's name of Hawaiian origin.
Meaning
Myrtle (Hawaiian) or 'who is like God?' (as a variant of Michaela).
Origin and history
Makala is used in the United States both as an adaptation of the Hawaiian name Makala (meaning 'myrtle') and as a modern phonetic spelling variant of Michaela. It saw its peak popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s before declining in recent years. Today, it offers a distinctive, rhythmic alternative to more conventional spellings like Makayla or Michaela.
Popularity in the United States
3,398 babies in the United States have been named Makala since 1880. It ranks #3043 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2081.
States where it is most popular
- TX (10.5 %)
- OH (9.1 %)
- CA (8.7 %)
- NC (8.4 %)
- MI (6.7 %)
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 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 60 |
| 1980-1990 | 146 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,394 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,481 |
| 2010-2019 | 297 |
| 2020-2029 | 20 |
Nicknames
Kay, Kala, Mak
Fun facts
- Makala functions both as an authentic Hawaiian name meaning 'myrtle' and as a creative modern spelling of Michaela.
- The name experienced a surge in popularity in the United States during the late 1990s alongside the broader trend of 'Kayla' sound-alike names.