Rising since 2014, #1,548 for girls today.
Popularity of Marcela since 1908
Babies named Marcela per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 9 |
| 1910s | 38 |
| 1920s | 182 |
| 1930s | 129 |
| 1940s | 120 |
| 1950s | 156 |
| 1960s | 408 |
| 1970s | 975 |
| 1980s | 1,393 |
| 1990s | 1,802 |
| 2000s | 1,777 |
| 2010s | 1,188 |
| 2020s | 778 |
Meaning & origin
Marcela has been in consistent use in the United States since 1908, its first recorded year. It reached its peak popularity in 1999, ranking 1548 in 2025, with a 1-in-11,818 birth rate. The name has been rising steadily since 2014, and it saw its greatest use during the 1990s. It is most common in states like Alabama, Texas, and Florida, reflecting its strong Hispanic heritage. As a Spanish and Portuguese variant of Marcellus, Marcela carries a soft, melodic sound that has appealed to families seeking a name with classical roots and a feminine ending.
Marcela is a Spanish and Portuguese feminine form of the Roman family name Marcellus, a diminutive of Marcus. Marcus derives from Mars, the Roman god of war. The name was borne by a 4th-century saint, Marcela of Rome, and has been used across the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world.
Where Marcela is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Marce, Cela, Meli
Sibling names for Marcela
Names that share Marcela's style, for a brother or sister.
