Keila as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Keila

What is the meaning of the name Keila ?

The baby name Keila is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced KAY-lah (ˈkeɪlə); sometimes KEY-lah (ˈkiːlə).

Keila is Hebrew, Portuguese in Origin.

Keila is a feminine given name with Hebrew roots. As Keilah (Hebrew Qeilah), it names a Judean town in 1 Samuel, which led to its use in Jewish communities and, via biblical naming, among Christians. Through Spanish and Portuguese, the simplified Keila/Keyla spread widely, especially in Latin America and later the United States. Usage rose in the late 20th century alongside Kayla and other -la names.

Meanings reflect two paths: from the place name, often interpreted as “fortress,” “citadel,” or “place of refuge”; and by association with Hebrew Kelila/Kelilah, “crown, laurel wreath.” Variants and related forms include Keilah, Keyla, Keylah, Keela, Kaila, and the closely related Kayla; Hebrew Kelila/Kelilah is a cognate. Short forms Kei and Kay are common. Keila’s concise, international sound helps sustain its modern appeal.