Tela

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Tela

Pronounced TEE-luh /ˈtiː.lə/Medium

Meaning: Tela is a short, modern-sounding name with no single fixed origin; it most plausibly arose as a clipped form of names ending in -tela such as Estela or Otela, or simply as a soft coinage.Low

In 30 seconds: Tela is a short modern name of uncertain root, possibly clipped from Estela or Otela (said 'TEE-luh').

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Origin LowAmerican

MeaningTela is a short, modern-sounding name with no single fixed origin; it most plausibly arose as a clipped form of names ending in -tela such as Estela or Otela, or simply as a soft coinage.

U.S. rank (2018)#11348 ↗ Rising

2018 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1985

Total births (all-time)≈ 693

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

Tela is a spare, gentle name whose exact source is uncertain. It most likely emerged as a short form of a longer -tela name such as Estela or Otela, or as a simple modern coinage prized for its soft, open sound.

It has always been rare, reaching a small peak around 1985 at a few dozen girls a year. With no fixed traditional meaning it reads as a minimalist modern name rather than an heirloom one.

Did you know? Tela was a late-century rarity, cresting around 1985 at only a few dozen girls a year and never widely used.

Overall data confidence 45%

References — Tela — short modern name; uncertain, possible clip of Estela

Variations

TellaTelaOtela

Nicknames

Tel

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Tela mean?

Tela is a short modern name of uncertain origin, possibly a clipped form of names like Estela or Otela.

How do you pronounce Tela?

It's said TEE-luh /ˈtiː.lə/ — two syllables.

Is Tela a boy or girl name?

Tela is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Tela?

Tela has always been rare — a short, uncommon name that never came into wide use.