NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Stela

Meaning "pillar" or "column" in Greek or Latin origin.

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.

Stela is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Stela popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4192, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 7 births.

This profile covers 45 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 2006 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.

The latest count is about 71% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 45 living people in the UK are called Stela. 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

  • Stela ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2011, when 7 girls were registered as Stela.
  • About 45 living people in the UK are estimated to have Stela as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4192

2024

Births in 2024

5

Latest year

Peak year

2011

7 births

Estimated living

45

2026

Meaning

What does Stela mean?

The name Stela originated from the Latin word "stela," which means a stone slab or pillar used for commemorative purposes, often inscribed with names, dates, and other details. This name has its roots in ancient Roman culture and can be traced back to the early centuries of the Common Era.

The earliest recorded use of the name Stela can be found in ancient Roman inscriptions and artifacts, where it was often used to commemorate important events or individuals. Some of the earliest known examples include a funerary stela from the 2nd century AD, which bore the name of a woman named Stela Aurelia.

Throughout history, the name Stela has been associated with various notable individuals. One of the most famous bearers of this name was Stela, a 5th-century saint and martyr from the Byzantine Empire, who was canonized for her unwavering faith and sacrifice.

In the realm of literature, Stela was the name of a character in the epic poem "Aeneid" by the Roman poet Virgil, written in the 1st century BC. This literary reference further solidified the name's association with ancient Roman culture.

Another notable figure with this name was Stela Balmushi, a 12th-century Albanian noblewoman and military leader, who played a significant role in the defense of her homeland against foreign invaders.

In the world of art, Stela was the name of a renowned 15th-century Italian painter and illuminator, known for her exquisite religious works and illuminated manuscripts.

While the name Stela may not be as widely used today as it once was, it remains a unique and historically significant name, carrying with it the echoes of ancient Roman culture and the enduring legacies of those who bore it throughout the ages.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Stela over time

The chart below shows babies named Stela registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 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 Stela, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Stela
02457200620152024

Decades

Stela by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Stela 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 #5089 11 3
2010s #4789 30 7
2000s #4157 4 1

Related

Names similar to Stela

FAQ

Stela: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Stela was ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Stela most popular?

The peak year on record was 2011, with 7 babies registered as Stela in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Stela?

Meaning "pillar" or "column" in Greek or Latin origin.

How many people are called Stela in the UK?

A total of 45 babies have been registered as Stela across the 11 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.