Cadhla
Say it: KY-la[ˈkəi̯lˠə]
GirlIrishMeans usually explained as "beautiful"6 letters2 syllables
#89
in Ireland (2025)
#87 with spellings combined
59
babies in 2025
#87
best rank (2025)
516
babies since 1994
Up 189
10-year rank change
Cadhla through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 59 | #87 |
| 2024 | 41 | #116 |
| 2023 | 58 | #89 |
| 2022 | 48 | #110 |
| 2021 | 46 | #119 |
| 2020 | 30 | #160 |
| 2019 | 20 | #236 |
| 2018 | 15 | #296 |
| 2017 | 10 | #399 |
| 2016 | 18 | #254 |
| 2015 | 18 | #276 |
| 2014 | 11 | #404 |
| 2013 | 21 | #246 |
| 2012 | 19 | #265 |
| 2011 | 10 | #442 |
| 2010 | 13 | #377 |
| 2009 | 15 | #314 |
| 2008 | 12 | #383 |
| 2007 | 12 | #350 |
| 2006 | 7 | #465 |
| 2005 | 6 | #461 |
| 2004 | 5 | #511 |
| 2001 | 4 | #498 |
| 2000 | 8 | #325 |
| 1998 | 3 | #499 |
| 1997 | 4 | #496 |
| 1994 | 3 | #502 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0. Spellings with and without fadas are combined; the CSO only recorded fadas from 2018.
★ What does Cadhla mean?
Usually explained as "beautiful"
Irish, linked to an old word cadhla meaning beautiful.
Say it right
KYla
The "adh" sounds like the "y" in "my", so it is said much like the English name Kyla.
Not:KAD-la
The story of Cadhla
Cadhla is an Irish girl’s name, usually explained as “beautiful”, from an old Irish word with that meaning. The spelling can look puzzling. In Irish the “adh” in the middle is not said as a “d” at all, but gives the sound of “eye”, so the name comes out very close to the English Kyla. Keela and Keelin are sometimes listed as related names.
The fada spelling Cádhla is also used, though much less often.
In Ireland Cadhla first reached the list in 1994, and for many years only a handful of girls a year were given it. It took off after 2019 and had its best year in 2025, when 59 girls were given it and it reached number 87 counting both spellings. The CSO lists Cadhla and Cádhla separately, and Cadhla on its own was number 89. In Northern Ireland its best place was 53rd, in 2023.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Cadhla (Irish proper noun)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Cadhla | 55 | 512 |
| Cádhla | 4 | 4 |
In Northern Ireland
#77 in 2025 with 27 babies. Best rank #53 (2023); 391 babies since 2003.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.