Holding steady.
Popularity of Clella since 1885
Babies named Clella per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Clella's real moment was 1899.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 27 |
| 1890s | 81 |
| 1900s | 94 |
| 1910s | 212 |
| 1920s | 215 |
| 1930s | 150 |
| 1940s | 78 |
| 1950s | 30 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Clella is a rare American name that first appeared in 1885 and saw its peak usage in 1899. It likely arose as a feminine variant of Clell or a shortened form of names like Clea. Despite being a 1890s-era name, its trajectory has remained stable but extremely uncommon, with no recorded usage in recent decades. The name has never been associated with top states or notable popularity, reflecting its status as a true rarity. Its origins are uncertain, but it carries the charm of late-19th-century American naming trends.
Clella likely emerged in the late 19th century as a feminine diminutive or variant of names like Clell (a short form of Clement) or Clea (possibly derived from Greek kleos meaning 'glory'). Its usage peaked around 1899 and has remained rare, with no clear linguistic root in classical languages. The name saw modest use in the United States during the 1890s and early 1900s, primarily as a girls' name, but has since faded from common use.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Clelly, Celly
Sibling names for Clella
Names that share Clella's style, for a brother or sister.
