Kalila

Kalila is a feminine given name of Arabic origin. In many contexts it is interpreted as related to affection or closeness, sometimes described as meaning “beloved” or “dear one,” though exact meanings can vary by language and tradition. The name is used in various Muslim-majority cultures and can appear as a standalone given name or in compound forms.

Kalila is best known in literature as one of the two jackal protagonists in Kalila wa Dimna, a famous collection of fables derived from Indian tales and translated into Arabic by Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ in the 8th century. In the frame story, Kalila and Dimna accompany moral tales told to a ruler. Kalila is portrayed as the prudent, virtuous voice, in contrast to Dimna’s cunning and sometimes reckless schemes. The fables address themes such as leadership, justice, friendship, and social behavior, and they circulated widely across the medieval Islamic world, later influencing fable literature in Europe and beyond.

In modern usage, Kalila persists primarily as a given name and as a recognizable literary character. Variants in spelling and pronunciation arise from transliteration into different languages, and the name can be found in diverse cultural contexts. The association with the Kalila wa Dimna tradition remains its most enduring literary reference.