Nelia
Every Nelia since 1880 — 1,580 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nelia
Nelia is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #7,787 in 2025 with 14 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 1,580 American babies have been named Nelia. Its peak came in 2015, when 24 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 Nelia stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nelia year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | #7,787 |
| 2024 | 19 | #6,335 |
| 2023 | 13 | #8,372 |
| 2022 | 17 | #6,913 |
| 2021 | 9 | #10,887 |
| 2020 | 19 | #6,259 |
| 2019 | 10 | #10,270 |
| 2018 | 11 | #9,637 |
| 2017 | 22 | #5,775 |
| 2016 | 16 | #7,510 |
| 2015 | 24 | #5,615 |
| 2014 | 15 | #7,959 |
| 2013 | 19 | #6,657 |
| 2012 | 15 | #8,105 |
| 2011 | 14 | #8,511 |
| 2010 | 17 | #7,426 |
| 2009 | 13 | #9,262 |
| 2008 | 11 | #10,599 |
| 2007 | 11 | #10,623 |
| 2006 | 11 | #10,409 |
| 2005 | 12 | #9,288 |
| 2004 | 10 | #10,476 |
| 2003 | 10 | #10,220 |
| 2002 | 14 | #7,718 |
| 2001 | 8 | #11,751 |
| 2000 | 8 | #11,495 |
| 1995 | 8 | #10,229 |
| 1990 | 10 | #8,320 |
| 1985 | 9 | #7,369 |
| 1980 | 12 | #5,795 |
| 1975 | 17 | #3,889 |
| 1970 | 19 | #3,395 |
| 1965 | 6 | #6,299 |
| 1960 | 5 | #7,033 |
| 1955 | 15 | #3,057 |
| 1950 | 15 | #2,743 |
| 1945 | 9 | #3,320 |
| 1940 | 12 | #2,532 |
| 1935 | 12 | #2,536 |
| 1930 | 13 | #2,522 |
| 1925 | 12 | #2,892 |
| 1920 | 21 | #1,933 |
| 1915 | 22 | #1,602 |
| 1910 | 11 | #1,486 |
| 1905 | 10 | #1,279 |
| 1900 | 8 | #1,527 |
| 1895 | 8 | #1,269 |
| 1890 | 9 | #986 |
| 1885 | 6 | #1,013 |
| 1880 | 5 | #909 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nelia in 2025?
Nelia ranked #7,787 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 14 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nelia?
1,580 babies have been named Nelia in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nelia most popular?
Nelia peaked in 2015, when 24 newborns received the name.
Is Nelia a boy or girl name?
Nelia is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nelia rising or falling?
Nelia has been roughly stable over the past decade.