Candela

“candle” — Associated with the feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria

Spain origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#13760US 2023

6Births / yr

↑Rising

65All-time births

📅 Since 200200

How to pronounce Candela

kand·EL·uh

/ˌkænd.ˈɛl.ə/ · stress on EL · 3 syllables

“candle”

Associated with the feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria · Spain origin

What does Candela mean and where does it come from?

Candela is of Spanish origin, commonly used in Spain and Latin American countries. The name is derived from the Latin word 'candela', meaning 'candle' or 'light', symbolizing brightness and warmth. With religious connotations, it is sometimes associated with the feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria.

Cultural significance

Candela has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Spain-speaking communities, where it reflects values of candle.

Peak popularity

Reached #8832 in 2002 — currently #13760 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Candela?

Candela works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Candela Grace

How popular is Candela right now?

Rising fast — up 164 spots — currently #13760 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 2005–2023#13760 · Top 10%

2005

2020

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#13760	6	▲ up 164
2022	#13924	6	▲ up 2226 · +20% births
2020	#16150	5	▼ down 7306 · -62% births
2005	#8844	13	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Candela

Best Year2005Rank #8844

Peak Count13

Average Rank#13170

Current Trend→Stable

Data Range2005 - 20234 years

The story of Candela

Candela is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 2002. With 65 total births recorded, Candela remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #8844 in 2005, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #13760 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Candela in 2002:

Emily Madison Hannah Emma Alexis

Candela by decade

Candela peaked in the 2000s. See all 2000s names →

Decade	Births
2000s ★	55
2010s	5
2020s	5

💎Candela has only 65 total recorded births since 2002 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Candela?

Common

CanCaEla

What names sound and feel like Candela?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Candela also consider these

American · A beloved name

American · a variant of

Catela

Latin · A Latin name

How is Candela written in other languages?

What are the boy versions of Candela?

Cande SPANISH Candelario SPANISH

Common questions about the name Candela

What does the name Candela mean?

Candela means "candle" — a name rooted in Spain tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Candela?

Candela is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Candela have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Candela?

Candela originates from Spain tradition. Spain names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Candela?

Candela is a three-syllable name pronounced K AE2 N D EH1 L AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Candela?

Candela pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Spain heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.