"citadel, fortress"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Keilah
Does Keilah flow with your last name?
A biblical fortress name carrying ancient strength and grace
Hebrew
Jewish
Christian
Spiritual
Unique
Strong
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Keilah
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Keilah
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"she who is hemmed in"
Origin: Hebrew root
Language: Hebrew
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Keilah
See all →What the Keilah report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Keilah the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Keilah
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Keilah head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Keilah actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Keilah
Keilah is a biblical Hebrew place name meaning citadel or fortress. In the Bible, Keilah was a city in the lowlands of Judah that David heroically rescued from Philistine attack (1 Samuel 23). The name reflects the ancient Hebrew tradition of naming places for their physical or defensive features. Using Keilah as a girl's name connects a child to this story of rescue and strength.
Keilah is gaining modest popularity among parents who love the sound of Kayla and Leila but want a name with biblical roots and deeper meaning. Its Hebrew origins and distinctive spelling make it feel both familiar and unique.
In the Bible, Keilah represents a place of testing for David — he saved the city but then learned its inhabitants would betray him to Saul. The city represents themes of loyalty, courage under threat, and divine guidance.
Historical Record
Keilah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1976.
Over 1,568 babies have been named Keilah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Keilah is past its peak , currently ranked #4,557 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Keilah appears in 1 Samuel 23 as the city David rescued from the Philistines
- The name means citadel — a word that also means a fortress commanding a city, adding layers of protective meaning
Keilah in Other Languages
Latin
Ceila
Hebrew
קעילה
Popularity Over Time
#4,557
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1997
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Keilah
K
Keilah (biblical city)
Other
Ancient Judean city rescued by David in 1 Samuel 23, representing loyalty and divine guidance
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,557
- Total SSA Count
- 30
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Jewish Christian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kei
Kay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, vintage style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, unique style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, spiritual style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, vintage style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Keilah
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Keilah fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Keilah →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Keilah with...
Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
See all Hebrew names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Keilah
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Keilah and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Keilah sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Arin
Girl
Turkish origin
"pure, clean"
#4,510 in US
Rahil
Girl
Hebrew origin
"ewe (female sheep), traveler"
#4,572 in US
Yariah
Girl
Hebrew origin
"flowing from God"
#4,378 in US
Raelle
Girl
French elaboration of Hebrew origin
"God has healed"
#4,739 in US
Samary
Girl
Hebrew origin
"guarded by God"
#4,642 in US
Aveyah
Girl
Hebrew origin
"my father is Yah"
#4,570 in US
Arella
Girl
Hebrew/Aramaic origin
"lion of God"
#4,392 in US
Rivkah
Girl
Hebrew origin
"one who binds with beauty"
#4,504 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Keilah's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keilah
What does the name Keilah mean?
"citadel, fortress" (from Hebrew). "she who is hemmed in" (from Hebrew root). Keilah is a biblical Hebrew place name meaning citadel or fortress. In the Bible, Keilah was a city in the lowlands of Judah that David heroically rescued from Philistine attack (1 Samuel 23). The name reflects the ancient Hebrew tradition of naming places for their physical or defensive features. Using Keilah as a girl's name connects a child to this story of rescue and strength.
What is the origin of the name Keilah?
Keilah has Hebrew, Hebrew root, Jewish, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "citadel, fortress". In Hebrew root, it means "she who is hemmed in".
Is Keilah a boy or girl name?
Keilah is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Keilah?
Keilah is currently ranked #4557 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Keilah?
Common nicknames for Keilah include Kei and Kay.
What are good middle names for Keilah?
Popular middle name pairings include Keilah Grace, Keilah Mae, Keilah Rose, Keilah Joy, Keilah Beth, and Keilah Noelle.
What are good sibling names for Keilah?
Names that pair well with Keilah as siblings include Zara, Noa, Eliana, Micah, Levi, and Adalyn.
How many syllables does Keilah have?
Keilah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Keilah a common or rare name?
Keilah is an uncommon name, ranked #4557 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Keilah?
About the Name Keilah
Keilah is a girl name with Hebrew, Jewish, and Christian origins . The name means "citadel, fortress" in Hebrew .
Keilah is currently ranked #4,557 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Keilah has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Keilah include Kei and Kay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Keilah include Keilani, Keily, Keilany, Keila, Keilyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
K
Names Starting with K
More girl names like Keilah
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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