The name Calla is of Scandinavian origin and has a beautiful meaning behind it. It comes from the Old Norse word "kálfa," which means "to cover oneself" or "to hide." In Scandinavian folklore, the cala lily is a symbol of beauty and purity, with its white petals representing innocence and grace.
The name Calla was popular among Scandinavian royalty in the Middle Ages. One notable bearer of this name was Queen Calla of Sweden, who ruled from 1298 to 1302. Despite her short reign, she was known for her wisdom and compassion towards her people.
Today, the name Calla continues to be used as a given name for girls in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe. It has also gained popularity in English-speaking countries in recent years due to its unique sound and beautiful meaning.
The name Calla has seen a fascinating journey of popularity and fluctuation over the years in the United States, as reflected in the statistical data provided.
In the late 1800s to early 1900s, the name Calla was quite uncommon, with fewer than 12 births per year consistently. The peak during this period was a mere 16 births in 1918. However, it is essential to note that the overall population and birth rates were lower at that time.
As we move into the mid-20th century, the popularity of the name Calla starts to rise gradually. There was a significant increase from 5 births in 1953 to 17 births in 1952, indicating a growing interest in the name.
The real turning point for the name Calla comes in the late 1980s and early 1990s when it began to gain substantial traction. In 1986, there were 56 births, which increased to 133 births by 2010. This upward trend continued until reaching a peak of 176 births in 2017.
However, the popularity of the name Calla has since shown some volatility. After peaking in 2017, there was a drop to 122 births in 2018 and 111 births in 2019. Nevertheless, it remained relatively popular with 135 births in both 2020 and 2021, and 135 births in 2022.
In total, since the year 2000 alone, there have been 4107 babies named Calla born in the United States. This figure highlights the name's increased popularity over time, even with recent fluctuations. Despite these ups and downs, it is clear that Calla remains a popular choice for parents across the country.