"who is like God?"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Makayla
Does Makayla flow with your last name?
A modern American spin on the archangel Michael
English
American
African-American
Modern
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Playful
Classic
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Meaning & Origin
"gift from God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Makayla
Makayla is an American phonetic spelling of the Hebrew name Michael (Mikha'el), meaning 'who is like God?' — a rhetorical question implying the answer is 'no one'. Michael is one of the archangels in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. The feminine form Michaela was Anglicized into various spellings including Mikayla and Makayla, which became popular in African-American communities.
Makayla and its variant spellings (Mikayla, Micaela, McKayla) were hugely popular in the 1990s and 2000s in the United States, particularly in African-American communities. The name peaked around 2001-2003 and has declined since, though it remains well-recognized.
The name Michael (and its feminine forms) has been consistently popular in Christianity due to the archangel Michael, the patron saint of warriors, police, and doctors. Makayla represents the Americanization of this tradition, making the name more distinctly modern and creative.
Historical Record
Makayla first appeared in US Social Security records in 1971.
Over 107,474 babies have been named Makayla in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Makayla is past its peak , currently ranked #542 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The name Michael has been the most popular boys' name in the US in many decades since the 1950s
- Archangel Michael appears in the Book of Daniel, the Book of Revelation, and the Quran
- The McKayla spelling gained pop culture fame through gymnast McKayla Maroney's viral 'not impressed' face at the 2012 Olympics
Makayla in Other Languages
French
Michaëlle
German
Michaela
Hebrew
מִיכָאֵל
Italian
Michaela
Spanish
Micaela
Popularity Over Time
#542
Current Rank
Peaked 2008
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Makayla
M
Mikaela Shiffrin
Athlete
1995
American alpine ski racer and the most decorated alpine skier in World Cup history
M
McKayla Maroney
Athlete
1995
American gymnast and 2012 Olympic gold medalist in team gymnastics, known for her viral 'not impressed' expression
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #542
- Total SSA Count
- 556
- Cultural Origins
- English American African-American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kay
Kayla
Mika
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Makayla
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Makayla is also used as a boy name, ranked #10414.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Makayla
What does the name Makayla mean?
"who is like God?" (from Hebrew). "gift from God" (from Hebrew). Makayla is an American phonetic spelling of the Hebrew name Michael (Mikha'el), meaning 'who is like God?' — a rhetorical question implying the answer is 'no one'. Michael is one of the archangels in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. The feminine form Michaela was Anglicized into various spellings including Mikayla and Makayla, which became popular in African-American communities.
What is the origin of the name Makayla?
Makayla has Hebrew, English, American, and African-American origins. In Hebrew, it means "who is like God?". In Hebrew, it means "gift from God".
Is Makayla a boy or girl name?
Makayla is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #542. As a boy name, it is ranked #10414. Makayla is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Makayla?
Makayla is currently ranked #542 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Makayla?
Common nicknames for Makayla include Kay, Kayla, and Mika.
What are good middle names for Makayla?
Popular middle name pairings include Makayla Grace, Makayla Marie, Makayla Rose, Makayla Lynn, Makayla Renee, and Makayla Faith.
What are good sibling names for Makayla?
Names that pair well with Makayla as siblings include Kylie, Jaylen, Brianna, Malik, Aaliyah, and Jaden.
How many syllables does Makayla have?
Makayla has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Makayla a common or rare name?
Makayla is moderately common, ranked #542 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Makayla?
Are there other spellings for Makayla?
Related spellings include Makaia.
About the Name Makayla
Makayla is a girl name with English, American, and African-American origins . The name means "who is like God?" in Hebrew .
Is Makayla a boy or girl name? Makayla is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #542 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #10,414. Makayla is more commonly used as a girl name.
Makayla is currently ranked #542 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Makayla has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Makayla include Kay, Kayla, and Mika. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Makayla include Makaia . 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