Find out how popular the first name Kilah has been for the last 45 years (from 1979 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kilah by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Kilah is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kilah.

The history of the first name Kilah

The name Kilah originates from the Hebrew language and culture, with its roots dating back to ancient times. It is believed to be a variant spelling or diminutive form of the Hebrew name Keziah, which means "cassia" – a type of aromatic spice plant.

One of the earliest references to the name Keziah can be found in the Biblical book of Job, where it is mentioned as the name of one of Job's daughters. This suggests that the name has been in use for several millennia, possibly since the time of the ancient Israelites.

In terms of historical figures bearing the name Kilah, records are scarce. However, there are a few notable individuals worth mentioning. The first is Kilah van der Merwe, a South African singer and songwriter born in 1988, known for her work in the Afrikaans music industry.

Another prominent figure is Kilah Davenport, an American actress and model born in 1989, who has appeared in several television shows and movies, including the hit series "Shameless" and the film "Monogamy."

Moving back in time, there is a record of a Kilah Middleton, an English woman who lived in the late 17th century and was one of the early settlers in the British colony of Virginia. She arrived in the New World in 1683 and is mentioned in historical documents related to land grants and property records.

In the realm of literature, there is a character named Kilah in the novel "The Bone Doll's Twin" by Lynn Flewelling, published in 2001. Although a fictional character, this provides an example of the name's usage in modern times.

Lastly, one of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kilah can be found in the parish records of St. Mary's Church in Beverley, Yorkshire, England, where a Kilah Wilkinson was baptized in 1617. This serves as evidence of the name's existence and use in 17th-century England.

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 Kilah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!