Holding steady, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Cristela since 1917
Babies named Cristela per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1992, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cristela's real moment was 1978.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 10 |
| 1940s | 36 |
| 1950s | 56 |
| 1960s | 110 |
| 1970s | 108 |
| 1980s | 111 |
| 1990s | 111 |
| 2000s | 44 |
| 2010s | 26 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Cristela is a Spanish and Italian feminine name that rarely appears on the U.S. charts. First recorded in 1917, its peak year was 1978, after which its usage declined and stabilized, with a trajectory marked as stable in recent decades. As of 2025, the name ranks 13,208th, with an estimated 1 in 267,878 baby girls receiving the name. While not associated with any specific top states, Cristela has modest usage in Hispanic communities. It shares its root with the more common Cristina, but the distinctive -ela ending gives it a melodic, elegant quality. The name carries religious significance without being overtly tied to a single denomination, making it suitable for families valuing both cultural heritage and spiritual meaning.
Cristela is a feminine name derived from the Latin 'Christus' via Spanish and Italian, ultimately from Greek Christos, meaning 'anointed one.' It is a variant of Cristina or Christelle, blending the root with the popular -ela suffix. The name has been used in Spanish-speaking communities since the early 20th century, often honoring Christian heritage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cristi, Cris, Ela, Stela
Sibling names for Cristela
Names that share Cristela's style, for a brother or sister.
