Caela
A girl's name of Irish origin with 462 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Caela, you're looking at a name that fewer than 462 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The open, warm ending gives Caela a crisp, modern feel that pairs easily with most surnames.
Caela is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Caela is a girl's baby name of Irish origin, a feminine form of Cael or Caelan, meaning 'slender' or 'powerful warrior.' The name draws from Gaelic roots with a breezy, modern sound.
Caela feels both ancient and contemporary — its Celtic heritage gives it depth while the light, airy pronunciation makes it feel fresh and distinctive. Parents seeking Irish names beyond Aoife or Siobhan often discover Caela as a hidden gem.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Caela is a girl's name with several decades of recorded use (1985–2018). Its Irish roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 462 total births, Caela exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Caela has 33+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1985.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 85 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 150 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 182 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 45 | — |
The Story of Caela
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1994, Caela is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Caela are most likely born between 1985 and 2004.
How rare is Caela?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Caela is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1985, peaked in the 1990s with 182 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Caela by the numbers
- Would fill 10 school buses
- Meeting one Caela per day would take 1.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(33 years, 1985–2018)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 9 | #10726 |
| 2017 | 9 | #10847 |
| 2016 | 6 | #14664 |
| 2015 | 13 | #8546 |
| 2013 | 12 | #9135 |
| 2012 | 16 | #7518 |
| 2011 | 15 | #7871 |
| 2010 | 5 | #17522 |
| 2009 | 11 | #10100 |
| 2008 | 20 | #6602 |
| 2007 | 12 | #9656 |
| 2006 | 12 | #9402 |
| 2005 | 8 | #12028 |
| 2004 | 13 | #8335 |
| 2003 | 16 | #6938 |
| 2002 | 17 | #6445 |
| 2001 | 20 | #5610 |
| 2000 | 21 | #5345 |
| 1999 | 17 | #5948 |
| 1998 | 18 | #5609 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caela a boy's or girl's name?
When was Caela most popular?
How popular is the name Caela?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1985–2018