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Calla

Girl name · 60 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Calla: 60 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 8 births in 2018.

With its roots in the Greek *kallos*, meaning “beauty,” Calla shares its elegant sound with the classic Callista and the strikingly similar Calliope. Best known today for the graceful calla lily, the name gained botanical fame through the genus *Calla*—though the flower most people picture is actually a *Zantedeschia*. Among historical bearers, the name appears in Russian folklore as Calla, a figure in myth, and in modern times it was used by the painter Georgia O’Keeffe, whose famous depictions of calla lilies helped cement the flower’s artistic symbolism. While no major Scottish places bear the name directly, the botanical connection makes Calla a fresh, nature-inspired choice, offering a delicate alternative to Lily or Rose.