"citadel, fortress"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Keila
Does Keila flow with your last name?
An ancient Hebrew name meaning fortress — strong and beautiful
Jewish/Hebrew
American
Spanish-speaking
Unique
Spiritual
Bold
Earthy
Strong
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Meaning & Origin
"fortified place"
Origin: Hebrew/Biblical
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Keila
Keila is a Hebrew name (קֵילָה, Ke'ila) meaning 'citadel' or 'fortress.' In the Hebrew Bible (1 Samuel 23), Keilah was a fortified city in the Shephelah of Judah — a city that David saved from Philistine attack, only to discover that its citizens were about to hand him over to King Saul. The name thus carries both physical strength (a fortress that protects) and a nuanced biblical narrative. In modern use, Keila is especially popular among Latin American Jewish communities where Spanish pronunciation gives it a particularly musical quality.
Keila is used in both Jewish and Latin American communities, where it sounds naturally beautiful alongside Spanish names. Its similarity to popular Kayla makes it familiar yet distinctive. The name has seen modest but steady use across the Americas.
In the Hebrew Bible, Keilah was a significant fortified city whose story involves David, one of Israel's greatest kings. The name carries the idea of a protected, strong place — a woman who is herself a fortress of strength and resilience. In Latin American cultures, the name blends beautifully with Spanish phonetics.
Historical Record
Keila first appeared in US Social Security records in 1956.
Over 7,288 babies have been named Keila in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Keila is past its peak , currently ranked #1,559 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Keilah appears in the Book of Samuel as a city David saved, demonstrating his heroism before becoming king
- The Hebrew root of the name connects to 'fortification' — making Keila literally a name meaning 'she who is a fortress'
- Keila is particularly popular in Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries with Sephardic Jewish communities
Keila in Other Languages
Arabic
كيلا
Hebrew
קֵילָה (Ke'ila)
Spanish
Keila
Yiddish
קיילע
Portuguese
Keila
Popularity Over Time
#1,559
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2001
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Keila
K
Keila González
Athlete
Cuban track and field athlete and world-record holder in the triple jump
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Compare Keila with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,559
- Total SSA Count
- 136
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish/Hebrew American Spanish-speaking
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kay
Kei
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Keila
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Old French via English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Keila
What does the name Keila mean?
"citadel, fortress" (from Hebrew). "fortified place" (from Hebrew/Biblical). Keila is a Hebrew name (קֵילָה, Ke'ila) meaning 'citadel' or 'fortress.' In the Hebrew Bible (1 Samuel 23), Keilah was a fortified city in the Shephelah of Judah — a city that David saved from Philistine attack, only to discover that its citizens were about to hand him over to King Saul. The name thus carries both physical strength (a fortress that protects) and a nuanced biblical narrative. In modern use, Keila is especially popular among Latin American Jewish communities where Spanish pronunciation gives it a particularly musical quality.
What is the origin of the name Keila?
Keila has Hebrew, Hebrew/Biblical, Jewish/Hebrew, American, and Spanish-speaking origins. In Hebrew, it means "citadel, fortress". In Hebrew/Biblical, it means "fortified place".
Is Keila a boy or girl name?
Keila is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Keila?
Keila is currently ranked #1559 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Keila?
Common nicknames for Keila include Kay and Kei.
What are good middle names for Keila?
Popular middle name pairings include Keila Rose, Keila Grace, Keila Marie, Keila Renee, Keila Dawn, Keila Luz, and Keila Sofia.
What are good sibling names for Keila?
Names that pair well with Keila as siblings include Naomi, Miriam, Abigail, Eliana, Rafael, Elijah, and Micah.
How many syllables does Keila have?
Keila has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Keila a common or rare name?
Keila is an uncommon name, ranked #1559 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Keila?
About the Name Keila
Keila is a girl name with Jewish/Hebrew, American, and Spanish-speaking origins . The name means "citadel, fortress" in Hebrew .
Keila is currently ranked #1,559 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Keila has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Keila include Kay and Kei. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Keila include Keilani, Keily, Keilany, Keilyn, Keilah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis