Zella
Every Zella since 1880 — 13,369 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Zella
Zella is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #1,746 in 2025 with 117 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 13,369 American babies have been named Zella. Its peak came in 1917, when 298 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 Zella stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Zella year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 117 | #1,746 |
| 2024 | 109 | #1,851 |
| 2023 | 131 | #1,601 |
| 2022 | 156 | #1,442 |
| 2021 | 183 | #1,271 |
| 2020 | 124 | #1,667 |
| 2019 | 162 | #1,391 |
| 2018 | 166 | #1,366 |
| 2017 | 160 | #1,431 |
| 2016 | 156 | #1,479 |
| 2015 | 157 | #1,469 |
| 2014 | 84 | #2,255 |
| 2013 | 102 | #1,952 |
| 2012 | 92 | #2,094 |
| 2011 | 90 | #2,142 |
| 2010 | 71 | #2,588 |
| 2009 | 60 | #2,938 |
| 2008 | 53 | #3,221 |
| 2007 | 48 | #3,480 |
| 2006 | 40 | #3,853 |
| 2005 | 35 | #4,115 |
| 2004 | 34 | #4,171 |
| 2003 | 17 | #6,882 |
| 2002 | 15 | #7,439 |
| 2001 | 16 | #6,952 |
| 2000 | 16 | #6,805 |
| 1995 | 7 | #11,775 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #12,499 |
| 1980 | 6 | #10,390 |
| 1975 | 15 | #4,368 |
| 1970 | 14 | #4,244 |
| 1965 | 35 | #1,992 |
| 1960 | 37 | #1,885 |
| 1955 | 50 | #1,444 |
| 1950 | 89 | #958 |
| 1945 | 98 | #761 |
| 1940 | 114 | #656 |
| 1935 | 131 | #560 |
| 1930 | 184 | #493 |
| 1925 | 228 | #458 |
| 1920 | 244 | #429 |
| 1915 | 265 | #371 |
| 1910 | 151 | #313 |
| 1905 | 110 | #323 |
| 1900 | 171 | #247 |
| 1895 | 137 | #235 |
| 1890 | 108 | #236 |
| 1885 | 56 | #265 |
| 1880 | 31 | #281 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Zella in 2025?
Zella ranked #1,746 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 117 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Zella?
13,369 babies have been named Zella in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Zella most popular?
Zella peaked in 1917, when 298 newborns received the name.
Is Zella a boy or girl name?
Zella is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Zella rising or falling?
Zella has been roughly stable over the past decade.