Chelsea
From Old English Ċealchȳþ, from cealc (“chalk”) + hȳþ (“landing place”).
Every Chelsea since 1910 — 163,335 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Chelsea
Chelsea is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #851 in 2025 with 319 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1910, 163,335 American babies have been named Chelsea. Its peak came in 1992, when 16,199 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
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 Chelsea stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Chelsea year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 319 | #851 | — | — |
| 2024 | 358 | #787 | — | — |
| 2023 | 397 | #712 | — | — |
| 2022 | 424 | #693 | — | — |
| 2021 | 466 | #635 | — | — |
| 2020 | 449 | #644 | — | — |
| 2019 | 557 | #547 | — | — |
| 2018 | 664 | #471 | 5 | #12,515 |
| 2017 | 818 | #381 | — | — |
| 2016 | 933 | #354 | — | — |
| 2015 | 1,057 | #309 | 6 | #10,924 |
| 2014 | 1,196 | #275 | — | — |
| 2013 | 1,179 | #271 | — | — |
| 2012 | 1,356 | #235 | — | — |
| 2011 | 1,425 | #222 | — | — |
| 2010 | 1,417 | #223 | — | — |
| 2009 | 1,429 | #232 | — | — |
| 2008 | 1,518 | #222 | — | — |
| 2007 | 1,644 | #209 | — | — |
| 2006 | 1,824 | #192 | — | — |
| 2005 | 1,734 | #200 | — | — |
| 2004 | 1,752 | #195 | 11 | #6,597 |
| 2003 | 1,838 | #176 | — | — |
| 2002 | 1,785 | #179 | 7 | #8,608 |
| 2001 | 2,120 | #153 | — | — |
| 2000 | 2,380 | #140 | — | — |
| 1995 | 6,761 | #47 | 14 | #4,313 |
| 1990 | 12,785 | #24 | 33 | #2,180 |
| 1985 | 3,613 | #75 | 18 | #2,731 |
| 1980 | 540 | #412 | 5 | #6,404 |
| 1975 | 351 | #509 | 6 | #4,896 |
| 1970 | 226 | #692 | — | — |
| 1965 | 7 | #5,363 | — | — |
| 1960 | 9 | #4,497 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | 6 | #4,821 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | 5 | #4,310 | — | — |
| 1930 | 5 | #4,664 | 5 | #4,089 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4,522 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | 5 | #4,405 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,492 | — | — |
| 1910 | 5 | #2,472 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Chelsea
- Chelsea Clinton Public worker · b. 1980
- Chelsea Peretti Actor · b. 1978
- Chelsea Field Actor · b. 1957
- Chelsea Manning Military personnel · b. 1987
- Chelsea Charms Model · b. 1976
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Chelsea mean?
From Old English Ċealchȳþ, from cealc (“chalk”) + hȳþ (“landing place”).
How popular is the name Chelsea in 2025?
Chelsea ranked #851 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 319 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Chelsea?
163,335 babies have been named Chelsea in the United States since 1910, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Chelsea most popular?
Chelsea peaked in 1992, when 16,199 newborns received the name.
Is Chelsea a boy or girl name?
Chelsea is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Chelsea rising or falling?
Chelsea is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Chelsea?
Well-known people named Chelsea include Chelsea Clinton (public worker), Chelsea Peretti (actor), Chelsea Field (actor).