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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Sails (of a ship)
- Origin
- Latin (astronomical/constellation name)
- Gender
- Primarily used for girls
- Pronunciation
- VEE-luh
Vela is a Latin name meaning "sails," taken from the constellation of the same name in the southern sky. It's a name with a concrete, literal image behind it rather than an abstract virtue or place name. According to Social Security Administration records going back to 1888, Vela has stayed a rare choice for babies born in the U.S.
Meaning & Origin of Vela
Meaning: Sails (of a ship).
Origin: Latin (astronomical/constellation name).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Vela
VEE-luhIPA /ˈviːlə/
Popularity of Vela
Vela's most popular year on record was 1905, when it ranked #964 with 16 babies given the name; by 2024 it ranked #5925, given to 21 babies that year.
Names Like Vela
These names have followed a similar path to Vela in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Vela mean?
Sails (of a ship). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Vela?
Vela is pronounced VEE-luh (IPA: /ˈviːlə/).
Is Vela a popular name right now?
Vela peaked at #964 in 1905 and is ranked #5925 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1888–2024.)
Make Vela Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Vela, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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