Candelaria
A girl's name of Spanish origin with 2,530 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A ranchería in Tasquillo municipality, Hidalgo, Mexico.
Candelaria is a girl's baby name of Spanish origin, from the Spanish candelaria, referring to the feast of Candlemas (February 2nd), when candles are blessed in Catholic tradition. The name comes from candela (candle), meaning 'candle' or 'bearer of light.'
Candelaria is deeply embedded in Latin American Catholic naming traditions, particularly in Mexico, Colombia, and Spain. Our Lady of Candelaria is venerated throughout the Spanish-speaking world. The name carries the warmth and brightness of candlelight itself — a name that declares its bearer a bringer of light into dark places. It has a flowing, musical quality with its five syllables and warm vowel sounds.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Candelaria is a girl's name with over a century of recorded use (1893–2024). Its Spanish 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.
Today, Candelaria is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #5165), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Candelaria was #3641 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5165, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 120 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 187 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 316 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 299 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 243 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 203 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 111 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 131 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 180 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 202 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 320 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 146 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 54 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 18 | — |
The Story of Candelaria
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1929, Candelaria is an elegant vintage name. Girls named Candelaria are most likely born between 1919 and 1939.
How rare is Candelaria?
Only about 1 in every 144,000 babies born in 2024 was named Candelaria — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1893, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 320 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Candelaria by the numbers
- Would fill 53 school buses
- Meeting one Candelaria per day would take 6.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(124 years, 1893–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | #5165 |
| 2023 | 21 | #5788 |
| 2022 | 30 | #4606 |
| 2021 | 22 | #5599 |
| 2020 | 22 | #5514 |
| 2019 | 21 | #5831 |
| 2018 | 23 | #5490 |
| 2017 | 14 | #7930 |
| 2016 | 14 | #8069 |
| 2015 | 17 | #7037 |
| 2014 | 22 | #5831 |
| 2013 | 26 | #5169 |
| 2012 | 22 | #5939 |
| 2011 | 16 | #7501 |
| 2010 | 12 | #9341 |
| 2009 | 22 | #6150 |
| 2008 | 32 | #4671 |
| 2007 | 34 | #4395 |
| 2006 | 28 | #4981 |
| 2005 | 31 | #4395 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Candelaria a boy's or girl's name?
When was Candelaria most popular?
How popular is the name Candelaria?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1893–2024