Declining since 2006, #5,399 for boys today.
Popularity of Celso since 1910
Babies named Celso per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2006, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Celso's real moment was 1910.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 39 |
| 1920s | 119 |
| 1930s | 114 |
| 1940s | 127 |
| 1950s | 166 |
| 1960s | 177 |
| 1970s | 207 |
| 1980s | 274 |
| 1990s | 369 |
| 2000s | 377 |
| 2010s | 250 |
| 2020s | 126 |
Meaning & origin
Celso is a distinctly classic name with Latin roots, meaning 'high' or 'lofty'. In the United States, its popularity peaked in 1910, the first year Social Security records tracked it, when it ranked 5,399th. Since 2006, its usage has been in a declining trajectory, and it remains a rare choice, with an estimated 1 in 100,475 baby boys receiving the name in 2025. The name's top state of occurrence is Texas, suggesting a concentration among families of Hispanic or Portuguese heritage. While Celso has never entered the mainstream in the English-speaking world, it retains a dignified, scholarly quality that may appeal to parents seeking a name with historical resonance.
Celso originates from the Latin 'celsus', meaning 'high, lofty, or sublime'. It was adopted as a given name in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, often associated with Christian saints such as Saint Celsus, an early Christian martyr. The name has remained in use in these regions, particularly among Catholic families, though it has never been common in English-speaking countries.
Where Celso is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Celsus
Sibling names for Celso
Names that share Celso's style, for a brother or sister.
