Chela
Every Chela since 1955 — 474 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Chela
Chela is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1955, 474 American babies have been named Chela. Its peak came in 1985, when 79 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Chela stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Chela year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | 6 | #15,235 |
| 2010 | 5 | #17,579 |
| 2009 | 5 | #17,886 |
| 2008 | 6 | #15,803 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | 9 | #11,633 |
| 2005 | 6 | #14,863 |
| 2004 | 7 | #13,040 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14,226 |
| 2002 | 10 | #9,646 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,521 |
| 2000 | 10 | #9,303 |
| 1995 | 14 | #6,324 |
| 1990 | 12 | #6,948 |
| 1985 | 79 | #1,537 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9,284 |
| 1975 | 5 | #9,308 |
| 1970 | 5 | #8,177 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 6 | #5,308 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Chela in 2025?
Chela did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Chela?
474 babies have been named Chela in the United States since 1955, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Chela most popular?
Chela peaked in 1985, when 79 newborns received the name.
Is Chela a boy or girl name?
Chela is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Chela rising or falling?
Chela has been roughly stable over the past decade.