Sela Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SEH-lah /ˈsɛlə/
Origin: Hebrew; Arabic
Meaning: Hebrew: 'rock'; Arabic: 'to be safe'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Sela has its roots in ancient Semitic languages, deriving from the Hebrew word "סֶלַע" (sela), which translates to "rock" or "cliff." This term appears in various contexts within the Hebrew Bible, suggesting strength and stability. The name entered the English language through translations of biblical texts, particularly the King James Version of the Bible published in 1611, where it is used to refer to a geographical location in the land of Judah, as well as a musical term indicating a pause or interlude in the Psalms.
Historically, Sela is mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the cities of Edom and Moab, and is often associated with fortifications and strongholds. The name's biblical significance is further underscored by its appearances in the Psalms, where it serves as a liturgical marker.
This connection to the sacred texts has contributed to the name's enduring presence in various cultures that have drawn from biblical traditions. Culturally, Sela embodies themes of resilience and permanence, resonating with the symbolic meaning of a rock or cliff.
This association has made it a name of choice in various religious and cultural contexts, particularly among those who value its biblical heritage. The name may also be found in diminutive or variant forms in different cultures, reflecting its adaptability and the universal appeal of its meaning.
Overall, Sela's historical and cultural significance is deeply intertwined with its linguistic roots, making it a name rich in heritage.
Famous people named Sela
In this section, you will find notable people named Sela. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Sela who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Sela who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Sela Ward is an actress best known for Sisters, Once and Again, and CSI: NY.
Sela Vave is a singer and actress best known for her music career and appearances in various media.
Fictional characters named Sela
The following list of fictional characters named Sela is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Sela is a fictional character from the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation. She is a Romulan officer who plays a significant role in the storyline involving the Romulan Empire and its interactions with the Federation.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Sela, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Sela. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Sela was first seen in the United States in 1950.
Sela has ranked as high as #1202 nationally, which occurred in 2000, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Sela has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Sela is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Sela was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Sela (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Sela.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2019 | 27 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2017 | 27 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2015 | 29 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2012 | 37 |
| 2011 | 43 |
| 2010 | 31 |
| 2009 | 50 |
| 2008 | 51 |
| 2007 | 63 |
| 2006 | 68 |
| 2005 | 64 |
| 2004 | 47 |
| 2003 | 64 |
| 2002 | 61 |
| 2001 | 66 |
| 2000 | 81 |
| 1999 | 33 |
| 1998 | 20 |
| 1997 | 11 |
| 1996 | 31 |
| 1995 | 29 |
| 1994 | 20 |
| 1993 | 20 |
| 1992 | 9 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1990 | 7 |
| 1987 | 10 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1979 | 7 |
| 1977 | 6 |
| 1957 | 7 |
| 1954 | 5 |
| 1950 | 5 |