Bela
Every Bela since 1912 — 1,295 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Bela
Bela is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #5,749 in 2025 with 21 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1912, 1,295 American babies have been named Bela — about 63% girls and 37% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2008, when 49 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Bela stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Bela 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 | 21 | #5,749 | — | — |
| 2024 | 30 | #4,578 | — | — |
| 2023 | 37 | #3,996 | — | — |
| 2022 | 30 | #4,604 | 8 | #9,083 |
| 2021 | 31 | #4,426 | — | — |
| 2020 | 19 | #6,119 | — | — |
| 2019 | 27 | #4,930 | — | — |
| 2018 | 16 | #7,160 | 5 | #12,392 |
| 2017 | 22 | #5,691 | 6 | #10,944 |
| 2016 | 25 | #5,304 | 6 | #10,905 |
| 2015 | 16 | #7,334 | 7 | #9,690 |
| 2014 | 38 | #3,934 | 6 | #10,869 |
| 2013 | 28 | #4,919 | — | — |
| 2012 | 41 | #3,794 | — | — |
| 2011 | 34 | #4,263 | — | — |
| 2010 | 44 | #3,582 | — | — |
| 2009 | 30 | #4,822 | — | — |
| 2008 | 43 | #3,720 | 6 | #11,221 |
| 2007 | 34 | #4,390 | 11 | #7,151 |
| 2006 | 34 | #4,274 | 5 | #12,248 |
| 2005 | 26 | #4,978 | 12 | #6,264 |
| 2004 | 23 | #5,398 | 13 | #5,846 |
| 2003 | 21 | #5,613 | 7 | #8,758 |
| 2002 | 15 | #7,098 | 10 | #6,586 |
| 2001 | 16 | #6,663 | 5 | #10,745 |
| 2000 | 16 | #6,530 | 9 | #6,904 |
| 1995 | 5 | #13,674 | 6 | #7,897 |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | 7 | #5,196 |
| 1980 | — | — | 8 | #4,538 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | 10 | #3,090 |
| 1965 | — | — | 10 | #2,635 |
| 1960 | — | — | 9 | #2,888 |
| 1955 | — | — | 7 | #3,223 |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | 12 | #2,448 |
| 1920 | 5 | #5,062 | 5 | #4,350 |
| 1915 | — | — | 13 | #2,076 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Bela
- Bela Lugosi Actor · 1882–1956
- Bela B. Musician · b. 1962
- Bela Khotenashvili Chess player · b. 1988
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Bela in 2025?
Bela ranked #5,749 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 21 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Bela?
1,295 babies have been named Bela in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Bela most popular?
Bela peaked in 2008, when 49 newborns received the name.
Is Bela a boy or girl name?
Bela is used for both: about 63% of babies named Bela have been girls and 37% boys.
Is the name Bela rising or falling?
Bela is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Bela?
Well-known people named Bela include Bela Lugosi (actor), Bela B. (musician), Bela Khotenashvili (chess player).