Declining since 2022, #1,733 for girls today.
Popularity of Zella since 1880
Babies named Zella per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Zella's real moment was 1888.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 639 |
| 1890s | 1,184 |
| 1900s | 1,272 |
| 1910s | 2,214 |
| 1920s | 2,287 |
| 1930s | 1,374 |
| 1940s | 924 |
| 1950s | 571 |
| 1960s | 316 |
| 1970s | 90 |
| 1980s | 49 |
| 1990s | 55 |
| 2000s | 334 |
| 2010s | 1,240 |
| 2020s | 820 |
Meaning & origin
Zella had its heyday in the 1880s. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880 and reached its peak rank of 173 in 1888, placing it among the most popular names of that decade. Since then, it has fallen steadily and is now quite rare, with approximately 1 in 13,737 girls named Zella in the most recent year (2025). Its trajectory has been declining since 2022, reflecting a broader move away from late-Victorian names. Geographically, Zella was most common in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri, suggesting a regional concentration in the southern and midwestern states during its prime. Despite its obscurity today, Zella retains a vintage charm that may appeal to parents seeking an uncommon and nostalgic name.
The name Zella likely originated in the late 19th century as a feminine given name in the United States. It may have been coined as a short form of Zelia, a name derived from the Greek word 'zelos' meaning "zeal" or "ardor", or as a feminine variant of Zeke, itself a diminutive of Ezekiel. The name saw its peak popularity in the late 1880s and has since declined in usage.
Where Zella 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: Zell, Ella
Sibling names for Zella
Names that share Zella's style, for a brother or sister.
