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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kala

Kala

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAH-lah /ˈkɑ.lɑ/High

Meaning: Variously from the Sanskrit kala, 'art; a fine art; a part; time', and the Hawaiian kala, 'the sun'; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Art; a fine part; the sun: Kala is Sanskrit/Hawaiian. Crisp, modern, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls).
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Origin LowSanskrit, Hawaiian
MeaningVariously from the Sanskrit kala, 'art; a fine art; a part; time', and the Hawaiian kala, 'the sun'; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#9765 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1989
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,680

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198919432025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kala comes variously from the Sanskrit kala, 'art; a fine art; a part; time', and the Hawaiian kala, 'the sun' (routes layered, which we note). Used for both sexes, here for a girl (slug distinguished; said 'KAH-lah').

In the U.S. it appears in Indian and Hawaiian families. Rare, art-and-the-sun at the root, and modern.

Did you know? Kala means 'art; a part; time' in Sanskrit and 'the sun' in Hawaiian — used for both sexes (here for a girl; the routes are layered; said 'KAH-lah').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Kala — unisex; routes layered

Variations

KaalaKalaa

Nicknames

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If you like Kala…

Kalia— a kin Kal- girls' name
Kalani— a sound-neighbor Kal- girls' name
Tara— a companion short Sanskrit girls' name
Leela— a similarly popular pick
Neela— shares the -la ending

Explore names like Kala

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kala mean?

Kala is variously Sanskrit 'art; a part; time' and Hawaiian 'the sun'; used for both sexes; here for a girl. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Kala?

It's said KAH-lah /ˈkɑ.lɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kala a boy or girl name?

Kala is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Kala?

Kala is a very rare name in the U.S.

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