Ela
Girl name · #1562 in 2025 · Uniqueness 62/100
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, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Ela against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Ela in class?
Ela scores 62 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Ela is most common
Geography matters for names, and Ela is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Elas were FL (23), CA (17), NY (14), IL (10), TX (8). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
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
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. It scores 62/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.