What does Clelia mean and where does it come from?
Clelia is of Latin origin, derived from the word 'clarus,' meaning ‘bright’ or ‘clear’. It has historical roots in Roman culture and was notably borne by a legendary figure, Clelia Metella, a notable Roman woman. The name sees some usage in Italy and other Latin-speaking regions, and although it's s
Cultural significance
Clelia has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Italy-speaking communities, where it reflects values of latin.
Peak popularity
Reached #1584 in 1903 — currently #15688 in the US.
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Related Reading
Italy-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Clelia?
Clelia works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Clelia Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Clelia Rose
Floral · soft ending
Clelia Mae
Sweet · timeless
Clelia Claire
French influence · crisp
Clelia Jane
Literary · strong
Clelia Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Clelia right now?
Rising fast — up 63 spots — currently #15688 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #15688 | 5 | ▲ up 63 |
| 2021 | #15751 | 5 | ▼ down 5157 · -29% births |
| 1995 | #10594 | 7 | ▲ up 2493 · +40% births |
| 1990 | #13087 | 5 | ▼ down 5446 · -37% births |
| 1985 | #7641 | 8 | ▲ up 499 · +60% births |
| 1970 | #8140 | 5 | ▼ down 3228 · -37% births |
| 1965 | #4912 | 8 | ▲ up 903 · +33% births |
| 1960 | #5815 | 6 | ▼ down 977 · -14% births |
| 1955 | #4838 | 7 | ▼ down 2011 · -50% births |
| 1950 | #2827 | 14 | ▼ down 4 · +40% births |
| 1935 | #2823 | 10 | ▲ up 976 · +43% births |
| 1930 | #3799 | 7 | ▼ down 320 · -22% births |
| 1925 | #3479 | 9 | ▼ down 1546 · -57% births |
| 1920 | #1933 | 21 | ▲ up 408 · +62% births |
| 1915 | #2341 | 13 | — |
The story of Clelia
Clelia entered American naming records in 1903 and has been in use for over 121 years. With 514 total births recorded, Clelia remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #1903 in 1905, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #15688 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Clelia in 1903:
Clelia by decade
Clelia peaked in the 1900s. See all 1900s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1900s | 19 | |
| 1910s | 94 | |
| 1920s ★ | 130 | |
| 1930s | 64 | |
| 1940s | 34 | |
| 1950s | 73 | |
| 1960s | 32 | |
| 1970s | 5 | |
| 1980s | 32 | |
| 1990s | 12 | |
| 2000s | 11 | |
| 2010s | 8 | |
💎Clelia has only 514 total recorded births since 1903 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Clelia?
Common
CleClelClelieClelyElia
What names sound and feel like Clelia?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Clelia also consider these
How is Clelia written in other languages?
What are the boy versions of Clelia?
Common questions about the name Clelia
What does the name Clelia mean?
Clelia means "Latin" — a name rooted in Italy 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 Clelia?
Clelia is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Clelia have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Clelia?
Clelia originates from Italy tradition. Italy names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
Is Clelia trending right now?
Clelia is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.
Is Clelia a common or rare name?
Clelia is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.