Rising since 2006, #1,692 for girls today.
Popularity of Zelie since 2002
Babies named Zelie per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 57 |
| 2010s | 511 |
| 2020s | 696 |
Meaning & origin
Zelie is a modern French-inspired name that first entered U.S. records in 2002. It reached its peak rank of 1692 in 2021 and has continued rising since 2006, reflecting a growing taste for elegant, short names of European origin. Currently, 1 in 13,283 girls receives the name, with particular favor in states like Nebraska, Kansas, and Indiana. The name's etymology links it to the noble Adèle through the French Azélie, though it now stands independently. Its gentle sound and rarity make it an appealing choice for parents seeking something distinctive yet familiar.
Zelie is believed to be a diminutive of Azélie, a French form of Adela, which ultimately derives from the Germanic element 'adal' meaning 'noble'. The name gained modern popularity as a standalone given name, especially in the United States from the early 2000s onward. It was first recorded in the U.S. in 2002 and has since seen steady growth, peaking in 2021.
Where Zelie is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Zelie” around the world
Where Zelie lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
510
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zee, Zel
Variants: Zélie, Zélia, Zelia
Sibling names for Zelie
Names that share Zelie's style, for a brother or sister.
