Holding steady.
Popularity of Celesta since 1881
Babies named Celesta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Celesta's real moment was 1904.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 27 |
| 1890s | 66 |
| 1900s | 121 |
| 1910s | 259 |
| 1920s | 347 |
| 1930s | 199 |
| 1940s | 177 |
| 1950s | 228 |
| 1960s | 175 |
| 1970s | 191 |
| 1980s | 124 |
| 1990s | 95 |
| 2000s | 68 |
| 2010s | 27 |
| 2020s | 32 |
Meaning & origin
Celesta is a delicate feminine name with Latin roots, meaning 'heavenly.' It belongs to the family of celestial names like Celeste and Celestia, though it is far rarer. According to U.S. Social Security data, Celesta was first recorded in 1881 and reached its peak year in 1904. After that, its usage declined steadily, and it is now very uncommon, ranking below the top 1000 in 2025. Despite its rarity, the name carries a refined, old-fashioned charm. Its trajectory has been stable but low for decades, and it does not appear in any top state lists for recent years. Parents choosing Celesta today are likely drawn to its melodious sound and uplifting meaning, linking it to a tradition of ethereal names from the turn of the century.
Celesta is a feminine name derived from the Latin caelestis, meaning "heavenly" or "of the sky." It is a variant of Celeste, and like many celestial names, it gained modest use in English-speaking countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name saw its peak in 1904, reflecting a broader Victorian and Edwardian fondness for names evoking grace and divinity.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Celly, Cela, Lesta
Sibling names for Celesta
Names that share Celesta's style, for a brother or sister.
