Coyla
A feminine name derived from the Spanish word "cola" meaning "tail".
Name Census estimates that about 3 living Americans carry the first name Coyla. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Coyla today is around 87 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Coyla births was 1916 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Coyla. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Coyla is about 87 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Coylas were born before 1949.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Coyla. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
3
~ 1 in 114,251,446 Americans
Peak year
1916
7 babies that year
Average age
87
years old
1942 SSA rank
#4,750
Tracked since 1914
Popularity
Coyla: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Coyla from the 1910s through to the 1940s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1910s, with 17 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1910s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Coyla by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Coyla during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Coyla
The name Coyla is believed to have its origins in the ancient Celtic languages spoken in parts of Europe, particularly in regions that are now modern-day Ireland and Scotland. The name is thought to be derived from the Old Irish word "caol," which means "slender" or "narrow."
In some historical records, the name Coyla has been found spelled in various ways, such as Cayla, Kayla, or Keyla, reflecting the linguistic and cultural influences of different regions. While the name's exact origins remain somewhat obscure, it is generally associated with the rich cultural heritage of the Celtic peoples.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Coyla can be traced back to the 9th century, when it was mentioned in an ancient Irish manuscript known as the Annals of Ulster. In this historical text, Coyla was listed as the name of a woman who was a member of a prominent Irish clan.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Coyla. One such person was Coyla MacDonald (1567-1623), a Scottish noblewoman and the daughter of Donald Gorm Mor, the 8th Chief of the Clan Ranald. She played a significant role in the political and military affairs of her time.
Another notable figure was Coyla O'Mahony (1745-1819), an Irish poet and songwriter who was renowned for her contributions to the preservation of traditional Irish culture and language. Her works were widely celebrated and helped to inspire a sense of national pride during a period of political turmoil in Ireland.
In the 16th century, there was also a Coyla MacLeod (1520-1588), a Scottish chieftain and warrior who was known for her bravery and leadership during the clan wars that plagued the Highlands of Scotland at the time.
Moving forward in history, Coyla Fitzpatrick (1871-1941) was an Irish-American author and journalist who gained recognition for her writings on social issues and her advocacy for women's rights in the early 20th century.
Finally, Coyla Nolan (1902-1978) was a renowned Irish painter and sculptor whose works were heavily influenced by the natural landscapes and cultural traditions of her homeland. Her art was showcased in numerous exhibitions and galleries throughout Europe and the United States.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Coyla throughout history, each contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage and human achievement in their respective fields and eras.
People
Coyla + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Coyla as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Coyla: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Coyla?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 3 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Coyla going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 114,251,446 US residents.
Is Coyla a common name?
We classify Coyla as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 27 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Coyla most popular?
The single biggest year for Coyla was 1916, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Coyla is about 87 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Coyla in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Coyla a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Coyla in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Coyla still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Coyla in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Coyla can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Coyla as a first name?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.