A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Vela since 1888
Babies named Vela per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Vela's real moment was 1905.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 48 |
| 1900s | 108 |
| 1910s | 205 |
| 1920s | 180 |
| 1930s | 104 |
| 1940s | 53 |
| 1950s | 40 |
| 1960s | 32 |
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 12 |
| 2010s | 165 |
| 2020s | 119 |
Meaning & origin
Vela is a rare feminine name in the United States, first recorded in 1888. Its peak popularity occurred in 1905, after which it declined in use. Since 2005, however, the name has been steadily rising in popularity, a trend that continues through the latest data for 2025. In that year, Vela ranked 6,546, with a frequency of about 1 in 94,545 births. The name's appeal may derive from its celestial sound, reminiscent of other short 'space' names like Nova and Stella, though its true etymology remains uncertain, with possible roots in Latin or Spanish.
The name Vela has multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Latin word 'vela', the plural of 'velum' (sail), used as a given name in reference to the sails of a ship. Alternatively, it could come from the Spanish surname Vela, which is derived from the Spanish word 'velar' (to watch or be vigilant). Historically, the name has seen occasional use in the United States since the late 19th century, particularly in the early 1900s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Vee
Variants: Vella
Sibling names for Vela
Names that share Vela's style, for a brother or sister.
