"beautiful"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Calla
Pronunciation: [ k-AL-uh ]
Does Calla flow with your last name?
Named for beauty itself — a Greek word made flower
English
American
Greek
Elegant
Earthy
Whimsical
Gentle
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Calla
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"calla lily flower"
Origin: Greek via Latin
Language: English
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The Story of Calla
Calla derives from the Greek 'kalos/kallos' meaning 'beautiful' or 'good.' The name is best known through the calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica), an elegant white flower with ancient symbolic connections to purity, rebirth, and beauty. The flower's botanical name itself comes from the Greek 'kallos.' Calla functions as both a nature name and a classical name, bridging botanical and Greek traditions.
Calla has risen alongside the trend for botanical and nature-inspired girl names in the 2010s-2020s. Names like Iris, Violet, Lily, and Poppy opened the door for Calla to emerge as a more distinctive floral choice with classical roots.
The calla lily holds deep symbolic meaning across cultures — representing purity and innocence at weddings, and resurrection at Easter in Christian tradition. The flower has been associated with beauty and femininity since ancient times, and was painted memorably by Georgia O'Keeffe.
Historical Record
Calla first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 3,730 babies have been named Calla in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Calla is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,518 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Calla lilies are not actually lilies — they belong to the Araceae family and are more closely related to taro and philodendrons
- Artist Georgia O'Keeffe painted numerous large-format calla lily canvases in the 1920s, creating some of her most recognizable and celebrated works
Calla in Other Languages
Greek
Κάλλα
French
Calla
Italian
Calla
Spanish
Cala
Popularity Over Time
#1,518
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Calla
C
Calla Fictional
Other
A name appearing in modern literary fiction and fantasy, often given to ethereal or nature-connected characters
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Compare Calla with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,518
- Total SSA Count
- 142
- Cultural Origins
- English American Greek
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cal
Callie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Calla
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Persian/Urdu origin
"like a fairy"
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Latin origin
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"desert, wilderness"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Calla
What does the name Calla mean?
"beautiful" (from Greek). "calla lily flower" (from Greek via Latin). Calla derives from the Greek 'kalos/kallos' meaning 'beautiful' or 'good.' The name is best known through the calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica), an elegant white flower with ancient symbolic connections to purity, rebirth, and beauty. The flower's botanical name itself comes from the Greek 'kallos.' Calla functions as both a nature name and a classical name, bridging botanical and Greek traditions.
What is the origin of the name Calla?
Calla has Greek, Greek via Latin, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "beautiful". In Greek via Latin, it means "calla lily flower".
Is Calla a boy or girl name?
Calla is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Calla?
Calla is pronounced k-AL-uh.
How popular is the name Calla?
Calla is currently ranked #1518 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Calla?
Common nicknames for Calla include Cal and Callie.
What are good middle names for Calla?
Popular middle name pairings include Calla Rose, Calla Jane, Calla Mae, Calla Elise, Calla Simone, and Calla Grace.
What are good sibling names for Calla?
Names that pair well with Calla as siblings include Iris, Juniper, Sage, Felix, and Oliver.
How many syllables does Calla have?
Calla has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Calla a common or rare name?
Calla is an uncommon name, ranked #1518 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Calla?
About the Name Calla
Calla is a girl name with English, American, and Greek origins . The name means "beautiful" in Greek .
Calla is currently ranked #1,518 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Calla has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-AL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Calla include Cal and Callie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Calla include Callie, Calliope, Callahan, Callaway, Callan . 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