Rising since 2006, #2,778 for girls today.
Popularity of Aela since 2006
Babies named Aela per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 33 |
| 2010s | 326 |
| 2020s | 349 |
Meaning & origin
Aela is a modern, uncommon girl's name that first appeared on the U.S. Social Security Administration's records in 2006. As of 2025, it ranked 2,778, with approximately 1 in 26,349 newborns given the name. Its popularity has been rising since its debut, peaking in 2024. The name is most commonly used in Indiana and California. Aela's etymology is uncertain; it may be a variant of Ayla, a Hebrew name meaning 'oak tree' or 'halo', or a modern invented spelling. Its sound aligns with popular contemporary names like Aria and Kayla. Despite its rarity, Aela has a distinctive and melodic quality, appealing to parents seeking a unique yet familiar-sounding name.
Aela is a modern coinage, likely influenced by names like Ayla, Kayla, and similar fashionable 'A' names ending in 'la'. It may draw from Ayla (Hebrew for 'oak tree' or 'halo') or be a purely invented spelling. The name gained limited but consistent use in the United States since 2006, possibly further popularized by a character in the video game 'The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim'.
Where Aela is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Aela” around the world
Where Aela lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
60
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ae, Lala
Variants: Ayla
Sibling names for Aela
Names that share Aela's style, for a brother or sister.
