Vela
Every Vela since 1888 — 1,082 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Vela
Vela is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #6,813 in 2025 with 17 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1888, 1,082 American babies have been named Vela. Its peak came in 1915, when 38 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
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 Vela stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Vela year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | #6,813 |
| 2024 | 21 | #5,945 |
| 2023 | 26 | #5,117 |
| 2022 | 17 | #6,963 |
| 2021 | 27 | #4,947 |
| 2020 | 11 | #9,506 |
| 2019 | 18 | #6,684 |
| 2018 | 20 | #6,226 |
| 2017 | 16 | #7,426 |
| 2016 | 24 | #5,605 |
| 2015 | 22 | #6,020 |
| 2014 | 16 | #7,615 |
| 2013 | 12 | #9,581 |
| 2012 | 10 | #11,203 |
| 2011 | 12 | #9,690 |
| 2010 | 15 | #8,256 |
| 2009 | 5 | #20,046 |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 7 | #15,388 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 5 | #9,307 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 6 | #6,350 |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | 7 | #4,715 |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,523 |
| 1940 | 6 | #4,315 |
| 1935 | 8 | #3,407 |
| 1930 | 15 | #2,295 |
| 1925 | 18 | #2,187 |
| 1920 | 22 | #1,883 |
| 1915 | 38 | #1,113 |
| 1910 | 13 | #1,332 |
| 1905 | 16 | #964 |
| 1900 | 11 | #1,221 |
| 1895 | 5 | #1,796 |
| 1890 | 5 | #1,518 |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Vela in 2025?
Vela ranked #6,813 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 17 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Vela?
1,082 babies have been named Vela in the United States since 1888, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Vela most popular?
Vela peaked in 1915, when 38 newborns received the name.
Is Vela a boy or girl name?
Vela is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Vela rising or falling?
Vela is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.