Zella
“Zella has Hebrew origins, where it can mean 'shadow' or 'serene'” — Associated with strength and tranquility
American origin · Girl name
#1601US 2023
131Births / yr
↓Falling
12.7kAll-time births
📅 Since 188000.06% of births at peak
How to pronounce Zella
ZELL·AH
/ˈzɛll.ˈɑ/ · stress on ZELL · 2 syllables
“Zella has Hebrew origins, where it can mean 'shadow' or 'serene'”
Associated with strength and tranquility · American origin
What does Zella mean and where does it come from?
Zella has Hebrew origins, where it can mean 'shadow' or 'serene'. The name gained popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is often associated with strength and tranquility. Notable individuals include Zella Day, the American singer-songwriter.
Cultural significance
Zella has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of hebrew.
Peak popularity
Reached #220 in 1888 — currently #1601 in the US.
What middle names flow best with Zella?
Zella works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Zella Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Zella Rose
Floral · soft ending
Zella Mae
Sweet · timeless
Zella Claire
French influence · crisp
Zella Jane
Literary · strong
Zella Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Zella right now?
Falling — down 159 spots — currently #1601 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
The story of Zella
Zella has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. A total of 12,667 babies have received this name. Once ranked #281 in 1880, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #1601 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Zella in 1888:
Zella by decade
Zella peaked in the 1880s. See all 1880s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 639 | |
| 1890s | 1,184 | |
| 1900s | 1,272 | |
| 1910s | 2,214 | |
| 1920s ★ | 2,287 | |
| 1930s | 1,374 | |
| 1940s | 924 | |
| 1950s | 571 | |
| 1960s | 316 | |
| 1970s | 90 | |
| 1980s | 49 | |
| 1990s | 55 | |
| 2000s | 334 | |
| 2010s | 1,236 | |
| 2020s | 122 |
What are good nicknames for Zella?
Common
ZelZe
What names sound and feel like Zella?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Zella also consider these
How is Zella written in other languages?
What are the boy versions of Zella?
Marcellus ANCIENT ROMANMartzel BASQUEMarcel CATALANMarcel CZECHCeel DUTCHMarcel DUTCHMarcellus DUTCHMarcel FRENCHMarcel GERMANMarcellus GERMANMarzell GERMANMarcell HUNGARIANMarcello ITALIANMarcel POLISHMarceli POLISHMarcelinho PORTUGUESEMarcelo PORTUGUESEMarcel ROMANIANMarcel SLOVAKMarcelo SPANISHMarkos ANCIENT GREEKMarcellina ANCIENT ROMANMarcellinus ANCIENT ROMANMarcia ANCIENT ROMANMarciana ANCIENT ROMANMarcianus ANCIENT ROMANMarcius ANCIENT ROMANMarcus ANCIENT ROMANMarko BASQUEMarkos BIBLICAL GREEKMarcus BIBLICAL LATINMark BIBLICALMarko BULGARIANMarc CATALANMargh CORNISHMarko CROATIANMarek CZECHMarcus DANISHMark DANISHMarkus DANISHMarco DUTCHMark DUTCHMarcelyn ENGLISHMarci ENGLISHMarcia ENGLISHMarcie ENGLISHMarcus ENGLISHMarcy ENGLISHMark ENGLISHMarsha ENGLISHSalena ENGLISHSalina ENGLISHSelina ENGLISHMarkku FINNISHMarko FINNISHMarkus FINNISHCéline FRENCHMarc FRENCHMarcelin FRENCHMarceline FRENCHMarcellin FRENCHMarcelline FRENCHMarco GERMANMarkus GERMANMarkos GREEKMaleko HAWAIIANMárk HUNGARIANMarcas IRISHCelino ITALIANMarcellino ITALIANMarciano ITALIANMarco ITALIANMarzia ITALIANMarzio ITALIANMarkuss LATVIANMarko MACEDONIANMarcus NORWEGIANMark NORWEGIANMarkus NORWEGIANCelina POLISHMarcelina POLISHMarek POLISHBRAZILIAN(Marciana PORTUGUESEMarciane PORTUGUESEMarcelino PORTUGUESEMárcia PORTUGUESEMarciano PORTUGUESEMárcio PORTUGUESEMarco PORTUGUESEMarcos PORTUGUESEMarquinhos PORTUGUESEMars ROMAN MYTHOLOGYMark RUSSIANMarcas SCOTTISHMarko SERBIANMarek SLOVAKMarko SLOVENECelino SPANISHMarcelino SPANISHMarcia SPANISHMarciano SPANISHMarcio SPANISHMarco SPANISHMarcos SPANISHMarcus SWEDISHMark SWEDISHMarkus SWEDISHMarko UKRAINIANMarc WELSH
Common questions about the name Zella
What does the name Zella mean?
Zella means "Hebrew" — a name rooted in American 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 Zella?
Zella is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is becoming rarer and more distinctive, making it a unique choice that stands out.
What is the cultural origin of Zella?
Zella originates from American tradition. American 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 Zella?
Zella is a two-syllable name pronounced Z EH1 L L AA1. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Zella a common or rare name?
Zella is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.
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