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Nela

♀ Girl

Pronounced NEH-lah /ˈnɛ.lə/Medium

Meaning: A short form of names like Cornelia ('horn') and Antonella/Manuela; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A short form of Cornelia/Antonella: Nela. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'NEH-lah').

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Origin LowLatin

MeaningA short form of names like Cornelia ('horn') and Antonella/Manuela; routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#7833 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births14 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 585

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Nela is a short form of names like Cornelia ('horn', Latin) and Antonella/Manuela (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, classic name common in Slavic and Hispanic families (said 'NEH-lah').

In the U.S. it appears in Slavic and Hispanic families. Rare, a-short-form, and classic.

Did you know? Cornelia comes from Latin cornu, 'a horn' — Nela is a crisp short form of names like Cornelia and Antonella, classic and warm (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'NEH-lah').

Overall data confidence 38%

References — Cornelia — routes layered

Variations

NellaNelahNeli

Nicknames

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If you like Nela…

Nella— a kin spelling

Nelia— a fellow Nel- girls' name

Manuela— a name it shortens

Antonella— a name it shortens

Explore names like Nela

By themeuncertain latin

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nela mean?

Nela is a short form of names like Cornelia ('horn') and Antonella; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Nela?

It's said NEH-lah /ˈnɛ.lə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nela a boy or girl name?

Nela is a girl's name.

How popular is Nela?

Nela is a rare name in the U.S.