Rising since 2011, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Azelea since 2001
Babies named Azelea per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Azelea's real moment was 2022.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 20 |
| 2010s | 52 |
| 2020s | 54 |
Meaning & origin
Azelea is a modern respelling of Azalea that entered American records in 2001, reflecting a broader trend of botanical and vowel-rich names. While still rare (ranked 9,457th in 2025, with roughly 1 in 160,727 newborns receiving the name), it has been rising in use since 2011, reaching its peak rank in 2022. The variant spelling may evoke other popular names ending in 'lea', such as Aaliyah, and fits alongside sibling names like Lily, Jasper, and Violet. Its appeal lies in its floral association and soft, feminine sound.
Azelea is a modern respelling of Azalea, a name derived from the Greek word 'azaleos' (dry), referring to the plant's preference for dry soil. The name Azalea entered English use in the 19th century as part of the flower-name trend, and Azelea emerged as a variant in the early 2000s, likely influenced by the popularity of the 'lea' ending and the similar-sounding name Aaliyah.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Aze, Lea, Zel
Sibling names for Azelea
Names that share Azelea's style, for a brother or sister.
