NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Kella

A feminine name of Hawaiian origin meaning "bright" or "shining.".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1999. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Kella is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kella popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1999 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3900, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 3 births.

This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1999 to 1999. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Kella is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Kella. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2000 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Kella ranked #3900 for girls in England and Wales in 1999, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1999, when 3 girls were registered as Kella.
  • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kella as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3900

1999

Births in 1999

3

Latest year

Peak year

1999

3 births

Estimated living

3

2026

Meaning

What does Kella mean?

The name Kella has its origins tracing back to ancient Germanic languages, specifically Old Norse. It is believed to have derived from the word "kellir," which translates to "spring" or "wellspring." This connection suggests that the name may have been associated with bodies of water or natural springs in the regions where Old Norse was spoken, primarily in Scandinavia and parts of northern Europe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kella can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of medieval texts that recount the stories and legends of Norse settlers in Iceland. In these sagas, Kella is mentioned as a female character, although specific details about her significance or role are not widely documented.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Kella. One such figure was Kella Karlsdóttir (c. 1050 - c. 1120), a Norwegian noblewoman and landowner who lived during the late Viking Age. She was known for her influential role in the political affairs of her time and is mentioned in several historical records from the region.

Another prominent figure with the name Kella was Kella Þorkelsdóttir (c. 1200 - c. 1270), an Icelandic chieftain and landowner who played a significant role in the power struggles and conflicts that characterized medieval Iceland. Her name is documented in various legal texts and records from the period.

In the 14th century, there was Kella Einarsdóttir (c. 1310 - c. 1380), a renowned Icelandic poet and scholar. Her poetic works were widely acclaimed and preserved in manuscripts, contributing to the rich literary tradition of the time.

Moving forward in history, Kella Magnúsdóttir (1625 - 1690) was a notable Icelandic midwife and healer who lived in the 17th century. Her expertise and knowledge of traditional healing practices were highly regarded, and she is mentioned in various historical accounts from the period.

While the name Kella has its roots in ancient Germanic languages and was prevalent in Scandinavia and Iceland during medieval and early modern times, its usage has become less common in more recent centuries. However, its historical significance and connection to Norse culture and natural elements remain an integral part of its linguistic heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Kella by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kella was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
1990s #3900 3 1

Related

Names similar to Kella

FAQ

Kella: questions and answers

How popular is the name Kella in the UK right now?

In 1999, Kella was ranked #3900 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Kella most popular?

The peak year on record was 1999, with 3 babies registered as Kella in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Kella?

A feminine name of Hawaiian origin meaning "bright" or "shining.".

How many people are called Kella in the UK?

A total of 3 babies have been registered as Kella across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.