Ela
Girl name · #1562 in 2025 · Very rare
How old is the name Ela? In official American birth records, Ela has been tracked continuously since 1887, giving it 138 years of documented American history.
In 2025, 135 baby girls were named Ela, placing it at #1562 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #1996, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 13,333 girls born in 2025 was named Ela.
The 138-year story
The historical record for Ela begins in 1887 with 5 recorded births. Its peak came in 2018, when 150 girls were named Ela — good for #1461 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Babies named Ela per year. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Ela against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Ela in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Ela is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very rare". A high score means genuine rarity — your Ela will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Ela is most common
Geography matters for names, and Ela is no exception. Adjusted for how many girls are born in each state, Ela is most common in FL (0.3 per 1,000), IL (0.2 per 1,000), NY (0.2 per 1,000), CA (0.1 per 1,000) — against a national average of about 0.1 per 1,000 girls. These are per-capita rates, so they show where Ela is a genuine regional favorite rather than just where the most babies are born.
Names like Ela
Statistically, parents drawn to Ela tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Leela, Ariela, Eila, Anyla, and Mela.
LeelaArielaEilaAnylaMelaAdelaAelaNila
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Ela | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 135 | #1561 |
| 2024 | 118 | #1719 |
| 2023 | 110 | #1826 |
| 2022 | 99 | #1974 |
| 2021 | 118 | #1739 |
| 2020 | 119 | #1704 |
| 2019 | 136 | #1569 |
| 2018 | 150 | #1461 |
| 2017 | 115 | #1804 |
| 2016 | 100 | #1986 |
| 2015 | 99 | #1996 |
| 2014 | 104 | #1922 |
| 2013 | 98 | #1990 |
| 2012 | 117 | #1760 |
| 2011 | 116 | #1758 |
| 2010 | 117 | #1762 |
| 2009 | 100 | #2041 |
| 2008 | 69 | #2663 |
| 2007 | 73 | #2541 |
| 2006 | 68 | #2631 |
| 2005 | 78 | #2296 |
| 2004 | 44 | #3391 |
| 2003 | 44 | #3291 |
| 2002 | 13 | #7816 |
| 2001 | 18 | #6067 |
Frequently asked questions
How old is the name Ela?
In official American birth records, the name Ela first appeared in 1887 (over 138 years ago), when 5 newborn girls received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
Is Ela a popular girl name?
Ela ranked #1562 among girls in 2025 with 135 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #1996.
When was the name Ela most popular?
Ela peaked in 2018, when 150 American girls received the name (ranked #1461 that year). Since 2018 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Ela?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 13,333 newborn American girls was named Ela. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "very rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.