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At a Glance
- Gender
- Girl
- Pronunciation
- ZEL-ah
Zella is pronounced ZEL-ah (IPA /ˈzɛlə/) and is a girl's name with a free-spirited, boho, clean, modern, outdoorsy, nature-inspired feel. You may see it described as meaning 'lacking' or tied to a flower, but that gloss isn't backed by any source — Zella more likely started as a short form of a longer name like Marcella or Zelda. If you're drawn to the sound, that's the honest starting point.
Meaning & Origin of Zella
A common claim: Zella is sometimes said to mean 'lacking' or to reference a flower. Actually: There's no reliable evidence for this Hebrew meaning; Zella is more likely a short form of a longer name like Marcella or Zelda.
How to Pronounce Zella
ZEL-ahIPA /ˈzɛlə/
Popularity of Zella
Zella hit its high point at #220 back in 1888, with 111 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had fallen to #1858, even though the count — 108 babies — was almost identical.
Names Like Zella
These names share Zella’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Zella mean?
Zella is sometimes said to mean ‘lacking’ or to reference a flower. There’s no reliable evidence for this Hebrew meaning; Zella is more likely a short form of a longer name like Marcella or Zelda.
How do you pronounce Zella?
Zella is pronounced ZEL-ah (IPA: /ˈzɛlə/).
Is Zella a popular name right now?
Zella peaked at #220 in 1888 and is ranked #1858 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Zella Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Zella, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Zella? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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