NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Sela

A feminine name derived from Hebrew, meaning "rock" or "stone".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Sela is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sela popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 4 births.

This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2001 to 2024. 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.

Sela is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 7 living people in the UK are called Sela. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Sela ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 4 girls were registered as Sela.
  • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sela as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4843

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2024

4 births

Estimated living

7

2026

Meaning

What does Sela mean?

The name Sela has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "selah," which means "rock" or "boulder." The name is believed to have been associated with strength, resilience, and stability in the Jewish tradition.

One of the earliest references to the name Sela can be found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. It is mentioned as the name of a rock formation where the Israelites took refuge from the Philistines. This association with a physical rock or fortress may have contributed to the symbolic meaning of the name.

In the Middle Ages, the name Sela was occasionally given to Jewish children, particularly in regions where Hebrew names were commonly used. However, it remained relatively uncommon compared to other Hebrew names of the time.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Sela was Sela ibn Al-Fadl (c. 1008-1062), a renowned Jewish philosopher and scholar from Spain. He made significant contributions to the study of Arabic grammar and literature.

Another notable figure was Sela Merrill Peres (1862-1942), an American educator and activist who played a crucial role in establishing kindergartens and early childhood education programs in the United States.

In the 20th century, Sela Ward (born 1956) became a well-known American actress, known for her roles in popular television shows such as "Sisters" and "Once and Again." She received numerous Emmy and Golden Globe nominations throughout her career.

Sela Vave (born 1985) is a Samoan-American singer and songwriter who gained recognition for her powerful vocals and performances. She has released several successful albums and has collaborated with various artists in the music industry.

More recently, Sela Aaronso (born 1990) is a South African model and actress who has appeared in several international fashion campaigns and television shows. She has also been involved in various philanthropic initiatives focused on empowering women and children.

While the name Sela remains relatively uncommon in many parts of the world, it holds significant historical and cultural significance, particularly within the Jewish community, where it is associated with strength, resilience, and a connection to ancient traditions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Sela over time

The chart below shows babies named Sela registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Sela, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Sela
01234200120122024

Decades

Sela by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sela 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 #4843 4 1
2000s #3998 3 1

Related

Names similar to Sela

FAQ

Sela: questions and answers

How popular is the name Sela in the UK right now?

In 2024, Sela was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Sela most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 4 babies registered as Sela in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Sela?

A feminine name derived from Hebrew, meaning "rock" or "stone".

How many people are called Sela in the UK?

A total of 7 babies have been registered as Sela across the 2 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.