Kelaa

Kelaa is a toponym and personal-name element used in Arabic-speaking regions, particularly across North Africa. The form^ is derived from the Arabic qal'ah (قلعة), meaning fortress or citadel, and is commonly rendered in Latin script as Kelaa, Kalaa, Qelaa, Qalaa, or similar variants. In geographic usage, Kelaa appears in place names that historically referred to fortified settlements or hilltop fortifications, a pattern seen in several Maghreb locales. The diverse transliterations reflect local pronunciation and historical mapping by colonial and modern authorities.

As a toponym, Kelaa is typically part of longer names that indicate an identifiable fortress, hill, or defended site. The specific locations bearing the name vary by country and region, and precise identifications usually require local geographic or administrative sources.

In addition to its use in place names, Kelaa can appear as a component of personal names in Arabic-speaking communities. It may function as a surname or as part of given-name compounds, reflecting a common practice of incorporating toponymic elements into names.

Because of its generic meaning and multiple transliterations, the term often requires disambiguation in maps, directories, and literature. References to Kelaa should be accompanied by clarifying context to distinguish among different places or individuals sharing the name.

See also: Qalaa, Kalaa, Qal'ah.