Calila first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Calila has been for the last 4 years (from 2018 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Calila

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "wise friend or companion".

Popularity of Calila by gender

Based on the last 4 years of data, Calila is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Calila.

Year Male Count Female Count
2021 0 5
2018 0 7

The history of the first name Calila

The name Calila has its origins in the Arabic language. It is derived from the Arabic word "qalila," which means "few" or "rare." The name likely emerged in the Middle East or North Africa during the medieval period, when Arabic culture and language flourished in various regions.

Calila is also closely linked to the famous Arabic literary work, "Kalila wa Dimna," a collection of fables and stories that are believed to have been translated from the ancient Sanskrit text "Panchatantra" in the 8th century. This collection, known for its wisdom and moral lessons, may have contributed to the popularity of the name Calila in the Arabic-speaking world.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Calila can be found in the 11th-century Arabic text "Qalaid al-'Iqyan," written by the Andalusian poet and scholar Ibn al-Khatib. In this work, the author mentions a woman named Calila who was renowned for her beauty and intelligence.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Calila. One such person was Calila bint al-Hasan al-Muqri (born in the 10th century), a renowned Andalusian scholar and calligrapher who made significant contributions to the study of the Quran and Islamic jurisprudence.

Another influential figure was Calila bint al-Muqri (born in the 11th century), a renowned poet and scholar from Cordoba, Spain. She was highly respected for her expertise in various fields, including literature, linguistics, and Islamic studies.

In the 12th century, Calila bint al-Husayn al-Qurashi was a prominent Moroccan scholar and poet. She was known for her extensive knowledge of Arabic literature and her contributions to the intellectual and cultural life of the Almohad Caliphate.

Moving forward in time, Calila bint Ahmed al-Bari (born in the 17th century) was a celebrated Moroccan scholar and poet. She gained recognition for her mastery of Arabic language and literature, as well as her poetic works that addressed social and cultural themes.

In the 19th century, Calila bint Mahmoud al-Kurdi was a notable Syrian scholar and poet. She was renowned for her expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and her literary works, which explored a wide range of topics, including religion, philosophy, and social commentary.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Calila was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Calila, please contact us.

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"Calila first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 2, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/calila-meaning-and-history/.

"Calila first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/calila-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 2 September, 2025

Calila first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/calila-meaning-and-history/.

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