Kalila is of Arabic origin, meaning 'vigorous, strong'. It's derived from the Arabic word 'kayl', which signifies power and strength. This name has a melodic flow to it, making it appealing and distinctive. It gained popularity through the Arabic literary collection One Thousand and One Nights, where Kalila was a wise cat and a main character in several stories.
The name Kalila experienced a significant increase in popularity from the late 1990s onwards, with a notable spike in usage starting around 1998 and peaking in recent years, particularly between 2016 and 2023. However, there were periods of decline or stability in the late 1970s to early 1990s.