Nela
Fact sheet
- Name
- Nela
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
Nela is a Frisian short form of the Latin name Cornelia, which means 'the one descended from the Cornelii' or 'the horned one'. The name has its origin in the esteemed patrician family of the Cornelii (gens Cornelia), which played a significant role in the Roman Empire.
What does the name Nela mean?
Nela is a Frisian abbreviation of the Latin name Cornelia and carries the meanings 'the one descended from the Cornelii' or 'the horned one'. The origin of the name is associated with the patrician family of the Cornelii (gens Cornelia), which was one of the most influential families in ancient Rome. Additionally, Nela is also used as a short form for various names ending in -nela, such as Antonela (Ancient Greek 'the valuable'), Petronela (Latin 'the one descended from the Petronii'), and Sanela (Latin 'the healthy'). In Germany, Nela was long considered a rather rare name, but it has developed into a popular girl's name in recent years. However, the most common variant is Nele. Other variants of Nela include Neela, Neele, Neelke, Neeltje, Nehle, Nelia, Nella, Nelli, and Nelly.
Where does the name Nela come from?
The name Nela has its roots in Latin and Roman culture. The meaning is 'the one descended from the Cornelii' or 'the horned one'. The Latin term cornu means 'the horn'. The name is used in various languages, including Frisian, Low German, North German, North Frisian, East Frisian, and Plattdeutsch.
How do you pronounce Nela?
The pronunciation of the name Nela is two syllables and has a gentle structure. In Germany, it is typically pronounced as 'Ne-la' [ˈneːla]. The name begins with a long E sound, which conveys a bright, friendly note. The open ending '-a' adds a certain lightness. Nela radiates modernity and friendliness and has a clear, gentle presence.
When is the name day of Nela?
Since Nela is a short form of Cornelia, the name day is celebrated on March 31 and September 16.
Popularity
In Germany, Nela enjoys great popularity and currently ranks 218th on the list of the most common female first names. The name reached its highest ranking in 2023 at 198th place. In the last ten years, Nela has been given as a first name approximately 2,700 times, placing it 239th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 260th.
Nicknames & pet names
Ela / Elchen / Elli / Lala / Nana / Nechen / Neeltje / Nelchen / Nele / Nelerich / Neli / Nelinger / Nelinksi / Nell / Nelli / Nelly / Nelo / Nelsi / Nelson / Nelusch / Nely / Nene / Nesti / Nili / Nilli / Nitschi / Nudel
Similar first names
Famous people
- Nela Boudova (Czech actress)
- Nela Erzisnik (British actress)
- Nela Hasanbegovic (artist from Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Nela Lee (presenter)
- Nela Martinez (Ecuadorian writer)
- Nela Panghy-Lee (presenter and actress)
- Nela Pociskova (Slovak singer)
- Nela Schmitz (actress from Germany)
- Nela Schneider (actor)
- Nela Zisser (New Zealand model)
Frequently asked questions about the name Nela
What is the origin of the name Nela?
Nela has its roots in Latin and Roman culture and is a Frisian abbreviation of the name Cornelia. It is used in various languages such as Frisian, Low German, and Plattdeutsch.
What does the name Nela mean?
The name Nela means 'the one descended from the Cornelii' or 'the horned one'. The Latin term 'cornu' means 'the horn'.
How popular is the name Nela?
Nela was long considered a rare first name in Germany, but it has gained popularity in recent years and is often used as a girl's name. The most common variant is Nele.