UK girl's name
Kelia
A feminine name of Hawaiian origin meaning "The Pleiades".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kelia is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kelia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 3 births.
This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2013 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 12 living people in the UK are called Kelia. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kelia ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 3 girls were registered as Kelia.
- • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kelia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5687
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2013
3 births
Estimated living
12
2026
Meaning
What does Kelia mean?
The given name Kelia is believed to have its origins in the Hawaiian language and culture. The name is derived from the Hawaiian word "keli'i," which means "chief" or "leader." This suggests that the name Kelia may have been associated with nobility or positions of authority in ancient Hawaiian society.
While the exact time period when the name first emerged is unclear, it is likely that it has been in use for several centuries, as Hawaiian culture and language have a rich history dating back to the earliest settlements on the islands.
In ancient Hawaiian legends and oral traditions, there are references to individuals bearing the name Kelia or variations of it. However, specific historical records or texts mentioning the name are scarce due to the primarily oral nature of Hawaiian culture before Western contact.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kelia can be found in the 19th century, when it was borne by Kelia Wilcox (1854-1935), a prominent figure in the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. She was a member of the Hawaiian Patriotic League and played an active role in advocating for the restoration of the Hawaiian monarchy.
Another notable individual with the name Kelia was Kelia Moniz (1897-1975), a Hawaiian musician and composer. She was renowned for her contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional Hawaiian music, and her compositions are still widely performed today.
In the realm of sports, Kelia Moniz (born 1993) is a professional surfer from Hawaii. She has competed in numerous World Surf League events and has been a prominent figure in the surfing community, showcasing the athletic and adventurous spirit associated with the Hawaiian culture.
Kelia Shelton-Pedersen (born 1976) is an American television personality and former model. She gained recognition for her role as a host on various reality shows and has also been involved in philanthropic endeavors.
Lastly, Kelia Maa (born 1983) is a Hawaiian actress and producer known for her work in films and television shows, including her role in the popular series "Hawaii Five-0." Her career highlights the ongoing influence and representation of Hawaiian culture in the entertainment industry.
While the name Kelia may have originated in the Hawaiian language and culture, it has since been adopted and used by individuals from various backgrounds, carrying with it the essence of leadership, nobility, and connection to the rich heritage of the Hawaiian Islands.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kelia over time
The chart below shows babies named Kelia registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2013 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kelia, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kelia by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kelia was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5634 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010s | #5704 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Kelia
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Kelia: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kelia in the UK right now?
In 2023, Kelia was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kelia most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 3 babies registered as Kelia in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kelia?
A feminine name of Hawaiian origin meaning "The Pleiades".
How many people are called Kelia in the UK?
A total of 12 babies have been registered as Kelia across the 4 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.