Holding steady.
Popularity of Clela since 1893
Babies named Clela per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Clela's real moment was 1895.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 12 |
| 1900s | 29 |
| 1910s | 75 |
| 1920s | 108 |
| 1930s | 47 |
| 1940s | 11 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Clela is a rare feminine name that saw its strongest but still limited use in the 1890s, with a peak in 1895. It has never appeared in the U.S. top 1000 rankings, and the most recent data from 2025 shows no reported births, reflecting its stable but minimal trajectory. The name's exact origins are uncertain, but it is likely an American English coinage from the late 19th century, possibly as a feminine variant of Clel or a derivative of Clea. Given its obscurity, Clela remains a virtually unused vintage treasure for those seeking an uncommon name with a soft, melodic sound.
Clela likely emerged as a 19th-century American coinage, possibly as a feminine elaboration of the given name Clel or a variant of Clea. It saw modest use in the 1890s, with its peak in 1895, but has remained rare. The name may also be connected to the mythological Cleopatra through the diminutive Clea, suggesting a possible link to the Greek word 'kleos' (glory).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Clee
Sibling names for Clela
Names that share Clela's style, for a brother or sister.
