Zella Girl

Popularity: #831 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ZEL-uh /ˈzɛlə/

Origin: Hebrew; African

Meaning: Hebrew: 'God's chosen'; African: 'dawn'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Zella has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "zel," which means "shadow" or "shade." This etymology reflects a connection to nature and the protective qualities associated with shadows. The name made its way into English through various linguistic transformations, likely passing through the Germanic languages before being adopted into modern English usage.

The transition from Hebrew to English is not direct, but the name's adoption reflects broader cultural exchanges over centuries, particularly during periods of migration and the spread of Jewish communities across Europe. Historically, the name Zella has been associated with various figures and events, although it does not have a singularly prominent historical milestone like some other names.

It appears in various forms in literature and records from the 19th century, suggesting its use among families who valued its unique sound and meaning. The name has also been linked to the tradition of naming children after ancestors or significant figures within families, which was a common practice in many cultures.

Culturally, Zella carries connotations of femininity and grace, often associated with the qualities of protection and comfort that shadows provide. The name has been embraced in various artistic expressions, including literature and music, where it symbolizes a nurturing presence.

While diminutive forms or variations may exist, Zella stands out for its simplicity and elegance, making it a name that resonates across different cultures and eras. Its enduring appeal can be attributed to its lyrical quality and the positive imagery it evokes.

Famous people named Zella

In this section, you will find notable people named Zella. 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 Zella who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Zella 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.

Zella Day is a singer-songwriter best known for her songs "Hypnotic," "Sweet Ophelia," and "East of Eden.".

Zella Jackson Price is a gospel singer best known for her work in the genre and her contributions to various church choirs.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Zella, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

EllaLilaNoraMilaZaraCelia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Zella. 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.

SelahIslaZaraLilaNinaZinaTessaZinaida

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Zella was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Zella has ranked as high as #669 nationally, which occurred in 1917, and has been most popular in Kentucky, Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.

In the past 5 years the name Zella has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Zella 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 Zella was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Zella.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 117 117
2024 109 109
2023 131 131
2022 156 156
2021 183 183
2020 124 124
2019 162 162
2018 166 166
2017 160 160
2016 156 156
2015 157 157
2014 84 84
2013 102 102
2012 92 92
2011 90 90
2010 71 71
2009 60 60
2008 53 53
2007 48 48
2006 40 40
2005 35 35
2004 34 34
2003 17 17
2002 15 15
2001 16 16
2000 16 16
1999 8 8
1998 7 7
1997 6 6
1996 5 5
1995 7 7
1994 8 8
1992 9 9
1991 5 5
1988 6 6
1986 5 5
1985 5 5
1984 7 7
1982 9 9
1981 11 11
1980 6 6
1979 5 5
1975 15 15
1974 14 14
1973 11 11
1972 20 20
1971 11 11
1970 14 14
1969 18 18
1968 23 23
1967 20 20
1966 18 18
1965 35 35
1964 27 27
1963 41 41
1962 41 41
1961 56 56
1960 37 37
1959 45 45
1958 44 44
1957 39 39
1956 54 54
1955 50 50
1954 48 48
1953 60 60
1952 67 67
1951 75 75
1950 89 89
1949 83 83
1948 92 92
1947 99 99
1946 80 80
1945 98 98
1944 81 81
1943 113 113
1942 86 86
1941 78 78
1940 114 114
1939 113 113
1938 119 119
1937 110 110
1936 112 112
1935 131 131
1934 137 137
1933 151 151
1932 158 158
1931 159 159
1930 184 184
1929 179 179
1928 213 213
1927 190 190
1926 216 216
1925 228 228
1924 235 235
1923 267 267
1922 235 235
1921 280 280
1920 244 244
1919 255 255
1918 244 244
1917 298 298
1916 248 248
1915 265 265
1914 224 224
1913 199 199
1912 186 186
1911 144 144
1910 151 151
1909 131 131
1908 125 125
1907 123 123
1906 108 108
1905 110 110
1904 126 126
1903 132 132
1902 124 124
1901 122 122
1900 171 171
1899 102 102
1898 115 115
1897 128 128
1896 130 130
1895 137 137
1894 138 138
1893 109 109
1892 102 102
1891 115 115
1890 108 108
1889 96 96
1888 111 111
1887 67 67
1886 72 72
1885 56 56
1884 63 63
1883 55 55
1882 50 50
1881 38 38
1880 31 31

Top States for Zella (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 11
27%
MO 7
17%
CA 6
15%
IN 6
15%
NC 6
15%
TN 5
12%