An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.
Quetzaltenango (a city in Guatemala)
Xela is a girl's baby name of Native American origin, from the indigenous name for Quetzaltenango, Guatemala's second-largest city — meaning 'place of the quetzal birds' in the K'iche' Maya language. As a given name, it carries the vibrant colors of the quetzal, Guatemala's national bird, in just four letters.
Xela has 24+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1995.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 142 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 125 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 56 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 20 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 | #5412 |
| 2023 | 32 | #4446 |
| 2022 | 42 | #3696 |
| 2021 | 32 | #4407 |
| 2020 | 12 | #8922 |
| 2019 | 16 | #7319 |
| 2018 | 21 | #5996 |
| 2017 | 17 | #7079 |
| 2016 | 9 | #11730 |
| 2015 | 10 | #10824 |
| 2014 | 11 | #10102 |
| 2013 | 14 | #8555 |
| 2012 | 11 | #10393 |
| 2011 | 9 | #12107 |
| 2010 | 7 | #14873 |
| 2009 | 19 | #7049 |
| 2008 | 11 | #10775 |
| 2007 | 6 | #17536 |
| 2005 | 5 | #19081 |
| 2003 | 8 | #12369 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1995–2024) · Methodology