Kyla
/ˈkaɪ.lə/
Kyla is a feminine form of Kyle, from the Scottish Gaelic caol meaning “narrows” or “channel,” referring to a strait of water. The feminine -a ending was added to create a distinctly female form of the surname-derived given name.
Kyle entered American use as a given name in the 1960s-1970s. Feminine variants like Kyla emerged in the 1980s and 1990s as parents sought to use the sound for girls without using the unmodified masculine form.
Kyla peaked at No. 162 in 2004 with 2,038 births. In 2024 it stands at No. 548 with 552 births, down from its early-2000s peak.
What the name Kyla means
Canadian country singer Kyla (born Kyla Herbes, 1981-) represented the name in entertainment. The name is also found in Irish contexts as an anglicised form of Caola meaning “slender.”
Two syllables — KY-lah — with stress on the first beat. The name is short, direct, and easy to pronounce, with a feminine close that distinguishes it from the masculine Kyle.
Parents choosing Kyla often want a name that echoes the popular Kyle sound in a distinctly feminine form, or that honours Scottish heritage with a softer ending.
Variants include Kylah, Kayla (a different but phonetically similar name from Hebrew Keli), and Kylie. Kyla itself is the most common feminine -a form of Kyle.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Kyla
Kyla - similar names
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