Kala Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAH-lah /ˈkɑː.lə/
Origin: Sanskrit; Hawaiian
Meaning: Sanskrit: 'black' or 'dark'; Hawaiian: 'the sea'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kala has roots in multiple languages, primarily deriving from the Sanskrit word "kāla," which means "time" or "black." In this context, it is often associated with the concept of time as a cyclical force, reflecting the philosophical ideas found in Hinduism. The name has also been linked to the Arabic word "قَلَة" (qalah), which can mean "to be strong" or "to be firm," showcasing its diverse linguistic heritage.
The transition of the name into English likely occurred through cultural exchanges and the influence of Indian and Arabic cultures, particularly during the periods of trade and colonization. Historically, the name Kala has been used in various cultural contexts.
In Hindu mythology, the term is associated with deities and concepts related to time and creation, such as the god Shiva, who is often referred to as "Kala" in the context of his role as the destroyer and transformer. The name has also appeared in various literary and artistic works, reflecting its significance in cultural narratives.
The use of the name in different forms can be traced back to ancient texts and scriptures, where it embodies both a literal and philosophical significance. Culturally, the name Kala resonates with themes of strength, resilience, and the passage of time, making it a name of depth and meaning.
In some traditions, it is also associated with beauty and elegance, further enhancing its appeal across different cultures. The name's enduring presence in various forms, including diminutives like Kaly or Kal, reflects its adaptability and the rich tapestry of meanings it carries through history.
As such, Kala stands as a testament to the interplay of language, culture, and philosophy across different eras.
Famous people named Kala
In this section, you will find notable people named Kala. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kala who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kala who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Kala is a singer best known for her work with the band M.I.A. and her solo album "Kala.".
Kala is a fictional character in the animated series "The Lion Guard.".
Kala is a character in the video game "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.".
Fictional characters named Kala
The following list of fictional characters named Kala is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Kala is a fictional character from the animated film Tarzan. She is a gorilla who adopts and raises Tarzan after finding him in the jungle.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kala, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kala. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kala was first seen in the United States in 1943.
Kala has ranked as high as #857 nationally, which occurred in 1989, and has been most popular in Texas, Ohio, California, Georgia, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Kala has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kala is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kala was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kala.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2024 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2023 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 2022 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2021 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 2020 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 2019 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 2018 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 2017 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 2016 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 2015 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 2014 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 2013 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 2012 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 2011 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 2010 | 35 | 6 | 29 |
| 2009 | 31 | 5 | 26 |
| 2008 | 61 | 6 | 55 |
| 2007 | 33 | 0 | 33 |
| 2006 | 47 | 0 | 47 |
| 2005 | 61 | 0 | 61 |
| 2004 | 75 | 0 | 75 |
| 2003 | 80 | 0 | 80 |
| 2002 | 118 | 0 | 118 |
| 2001 | 136 | 0 | 136 |
| 2000 | 159 | 6 | 153 |
| 1999 | 171 | 0 | 171 |
| 1998 | 190 | 0 | 190 |
| 1997 | 209 | 0 | 209 |
| 1996 | 234 | 0 | 234 |
| 1995 | 308 | 0 | 308 |
| 1994 | 315 | 0 | 315 |
| 1993 | 351 | 0 | 351 |
| 1992 | 354 | 0 | 354 |
| 1991 | 426 | 0 | 426 |
| 1990 | 438 | 0 | 438 |
| 1989 | 533 | 8 | 525 |
| 1988 | 462 | 0 | 462 |
| 1987 | 386 | 5 | 381 |
| 1986 | 273 | 0 | 273 |
| 1985 | 223 | 0 | 223 |
| 1984 | 205 | 6 | 199 |
| 1983 | 277 | 0 | 277 |
| 1982 | 217 | 0 | 217 |
| 1981 | 54 | 0 | 54 |
| 1980 | 53 | 0 | 53 |
| 1979 | 49 | 0 | 49 |
| 1978 | 62 | 8 | 54 |
| 1977 | 58 | 7 | 51 |
| 1976 | 53 | 9 | 44 |
| 1975 | 42 | 6 | 36 |
| 1974 | 48 | 7 | 41 |
| 1973 | 41 | 6 | 35 |
| 1972 | 34 | 7 | 27 |
| 1971 | 50 | 0 | 50 |
| 1970 | 38 | 0 | 38 |
| 1969 | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| 1968 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 1967 | 31 | 0 | 31 |
| 1966 | 27 | 0 | 27 |
| 1965 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 1964 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 1963 | 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 1962 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 1961 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 1960 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 1959 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 1958 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1957 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1956 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1955 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1954 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1953 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1952 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1951 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1950 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1949 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1948 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1947 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1946 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1945 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1944 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1943 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Top States for Kala (2008)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |