Zela

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZEL-uh /ˈzɛl.ə/Medium

Meaning: Zela has no securely documented etymology as a given name. It reads as a short modern pick echoing Zelda, Zola and Ella. There is also an ancient town called Zela in Asia Minor, but no line of descent to the given name is documented. Routes uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp two-beat name echoing Zelda and Ella (said 'ZEL-uh'). No secure etymology — routes uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningZela has no securely documented etymology as a given name. It reads as a short modern pick echoing Zelda, Zola and Ella. There is also an ancient town called Zela in Asia Minor, but no line of descent to the given name is documented. Routes uncertain, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#15218 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1916

Total births (all-time)≈ 597

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

Zela reads as a short modern name rather than an inherited one. It sits close to Zelda, Zola and Ella in sound. An ancient town of that name existed in Asia Minor, but no descent to the given name is documented, and the routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'ZEL-uh').

It is very rare for girls in the U.S. Rare, crisp, and modern.

Did you know? Zela is short, sharp and hard to trace. It echoes Zelda, Zola and Ella; there is also an ancient town named Zela in Asia Minor, but no documented link to the name, which we note honestly (said 'ZEL-uh').

Overall data confidence 27%

References — Zela — Short modern name; Zelda/Zola/Ella echoes; no documented descent

Variations

ZellaZelahZola

Nicknames

ZeeEllieZizi

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Zela…

Zella— the doubled-l spelling of the same sound

Zelda— a like vintage Z- name

Zola— a like short Z- pick

Ella— the soft core Zela shares

Explore names like Zela

By themeuncertain modern short z-initial

By meaningGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Zela mean?

Zela has no securely documented etymology; it echoes Zelda, Zola and Ella. Routes uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Zela?

It's said ZEL-uh /ˈzɛl.ə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Zela a boy or girl name?

Zela is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Zela?

Zela is very rare for girls in the U.S.