Celia is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It comes from the Latin word "caelum," which means "heaven" or "sky." The name Celia has been used throughout history, with notable figures such as the Roman poet Gaius Valerius Catullus's sister, who was named Celia.
The name Celia was also popularized in literature and art. In John Fletcher's play "Celia, the shepherdess," the main character is a shepherdess named Celia who falls in love with a disguised nobleman. Additionally, the 18th-century English poet Alexander Pope wrote an ode to his friend and patroness, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, using the pseudonym Celia.
Today, Celia remains a popular choice for parents seeking a unique yet timeless name for their daughters. Its Latin origins and association with heaven give it a celestial and ethereal quality, while its historical usage in literature lends it an air of sophistication and elegance.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Celia experienced significant popularity fluctuations over time. It peaked between 1887 and 1894, with a high of 316 births in 1900. However, from around 1920 onwards, its usage began to decline steadily until it reached an all-time low of 237 births in 1969. Since then, it has seen some resurgence, reaching as high as 424 births in 2001 and maintaining a relatively stable level since then, with around 300-400 births per year up until 2022. In total, the name Celia was given to 55,902 babies between 1880 and 2023.