Keilah Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAY-lah /ˈkeɪ.lə/
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: citadel; English: variant of Keila
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Keilah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the word "קֵילָה" (Keilah), which is believed to mean "a citadel" or "fortress." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the First Book of Samuel, where Keilah is mentioned as a city in the territory of Judah. The biblical narrative recounts how David sought refuge in Keilah during his flight from King Saul, highlighting the city's significance as a place of safety and stronghold in ancient Israelite history.
The name's transition into English can be traced through the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and later through the Latin Vulgate, which further disseminated the biblical texts to a wider audience, including English-speaking communities during the Middle Ages. Historically, Keilah is associated with notable events in the biblical era, particularly around the 11th century BCE, when David's leadership and the establishment of his kingdom were pivotal.
The mention of Keilah in the context of David's story underscores its importance as a strategic location, reinforcing the name's connotations of strength and protection. Over the centuries, the name has been referenced in various biblical commentaries and translations, contributing to its recognition in religious and historical texts.
Culturally, Keilah embodies themes of resilience and fortitude, resonating with the idea of a stronghold amidst adversity. This symbolism has allowed the name to endure through generations, often evoking a sense of heritage and connection to biblical narratives.
While diminutive forms or variations may exist, the name Keilah itself remains closely tied to its original meaning and historical significance, reflecting the enduring legacy of its biblical roots.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Keilah, 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 Keilah. 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 Keilah was first seen in the United States in 1976.
Keilah has ranked as high as #1284 nationally, which occurred in 2005, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Keilah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Keilah 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 Keilah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Keilah (2022)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 7 |
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 Keilah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2019 | 34 |
| 2018 | 26 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2014 | 40 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2012 | 45 |
| 2011 | 52 |
| 2010 | 47 |
| 2009 | 56 |
| 2008 | 43 |
| 2007 | 64 |
| 2006 | 51 |
| 2005 | 66 |
| 2004 | 51 |
| 2003 | 51 |
| 2002 | 61 |
| 2001 | 37 |
| 2000 | 45 |
| 1999 | 43 |
| 1998 | 45 |
| 1997 | 58 |
| 1996 | 45 |
| 1995 | 31 |
| 1994 | 30 |
| 1993 | 42 |
| 1992 | 37 |
| 1991 | 36 |
| 1990 | 38 |
| 1989 | 16 |
| 1988 | 27 |
| 1987 | 20 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1985 | 12 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1983 | 14 |
| 1982 | 6 |
| 1981 | 8 |
| 1980 | 12 |
| 1979 | 8 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1976 | 6 |