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At a Glance: Name: Vela – Meaning: sails (of a ship) – Origin: Latin (astronomical/constellation name) – Gender: primarily used for girls
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.
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.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1888–2024.
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Free printable nursery art for Vela, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Vela mean?
Sails (of a ship). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Vela)
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.)
📊 How popular is Vela? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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