A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Camelia since 1884
Babies named Camelia per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1987, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Camelia's real moment was 1976.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 10 |
| 1890s | 12 |
| 1900s | 18 |
| 1910s | 65 |
| 1920s | 74 |
| 1930s | 95 |
| 1940s | 211 |
| 1950s | 275 |
| 1960s | 313 |
| 1970s | 356 |
| 1980s | 400 |
| 1990s | 234 |
| 2000s | 262 |
| 2010s | 352 |
| 2020s | 265 |
Meaning & origin
Camelia is a delicate botanical name that has seen a gentle resurgence. First recorded in 1884, it peaked in 1976 during the revival of vintage and floral names. After a period of decline, it has been rising again since 1998, reflecting the growing appeal of nature-inspired names. In recent years, it has been most popular in California and Texas, states with diverse naming trends. Its link to the elegant camellia flower gives it a timeless yet fresh feel, appealing to parents seeking something distinctive but not outlandish.
Camelia is a variant of Camellia, the name of a flowering shrub in the tea family. The plant was named by Linnaeus in honor of the Jesuit botanist Georg Joseph Kamel. The name entered use as a given name in the 19th century, popularized by the flower's association with beauty and perfection. Its spelling without the double 'l' is a common adaptation.
Where Camelia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Camelia” around the world
Where Camelia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
360
babies in 2024
Ireland
7
babies in 2025
Quebec
23
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cami, Mia, Lia
Sibling names for Camelia
Names that share Camelia's style, for a brother or sister.
