Given name · also Greek
Zelia
“having great zeal”·“of the sunshine”
Zelia is used as a given name. Interpretations include “having great zeal” and “of the sunshine”. These belong to different or overlapping naming contexts.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “having great zeal” and “of the sunshine”. These belong to different or overlapping naming contexts.
Where it comes from
This spelling has been associated with Greek and Spanish naming traditions.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1883. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Zelia through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,177
- 0 boys · 1,177 girls
- Most popular year
- 2025
- 33 babies
- 2025
- 33
- #4,351 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +19%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 33 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 4,351 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 19.4% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (8). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 980 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Zelia’s family of names
Zelia has a related form in Zelina. Zelia has a related form in Zele. Zelia has a related form in Zeliah.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 7
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
People named Zelia
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Zelia, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Zelaya
“field”
>99% girls
Avila
Avila is a surname from Spanish, ultimately from Galician.
>99% girls
Talia
“morning dew from heaven” · “blooming”
>99% girls
Elaina
“the shining light”
>99% girls
Ophelia
“help” · “one who offers help to others”
>99% girls
Lira
Lira is a surname from Spanish. It is used in English and Spanish.
>99% girls
Roa
Roa is a feminine given name from Spanish. It is used in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Cebuano, and 2 other languages.
14% boys · 86% girls
Alessia
Alessia is used as a given name. Alessia is connected with Alexia.
>99% girls