Calla is a feminine given name derived from the name of two types of plants, the true calla (genus Calla, species Calla palustris) and the calla lily (species Calla aethiopica), both characterized by white flowers and a preference for marshy habitats. The plant name itself is of uncertain origin, but the name's usage may also be influenced by the Greek word κάλλος (kallos), meaning "beauty."