Fun Facts About the Name Pelia
- 49 babies named Pelia: U.S. records list 49 babies given the name Pelia from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Pelia Mean?
Pelia is a rare given name. A common explanation derives it from the Hebrew word פְּלִיאָה (peli'ah), meaning "wonder" or "marvel," from the root פלא (p-l-'), which also forms the biblical noun pele, "wonder." The name is sometimes interpreted as "wonder of God," but that fuller sense depends on taking the ending as a shortened reference to God and is not certain.
A separate Greek word, πέλεια (peleia), means "dove" and is used in classical Greek poetry. It has been proposed as another source for the name, but the Hebrew and Greek words are unrelated; similar spelling does not establish a shared origin. The male Greek name Pelias, known from the Jason legend, is also distinct and has a disputed etymology.
Pelia Name History & Origins
The Hebrew noun פְּלִיאָה comes from the root פלא, which has the sense of being extraordinary or wonderful. The related noun pele appears in biblical Hebrew, notably in Isaiah 9:6, where pele yo'etz is usually translated "wonderful counselor." As a personal name, Pelia is used in Hebrew naming, where nouns and biblical words often become given names.
The Greek noun πέλεια (peleia), "dove," is a poetic word for the bird. It is not related to the Hebrew root, and the similar English forms are coincidental rather than evidence of a common source. The Greek mythological name Pelias is male and belongs to a different name tradition.
How Popular is the Name Pelia?
Pelia has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2021. Its best rank was #10,131 in 2021.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #12,867 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2024 | #17,032 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2022 | #11,969 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2021 | #10,131 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2020 | #14,688 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2018 | #15,203 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2016 | #14,001 | 7 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Pelia Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
You are very intuitive. You have a reservoir of inspired wisdom combined with inherited analytical ability, which could reward you through expressions of spiritual leadership, business analysis, marketing, artistic visions, and scientific research. Operating on spiritual side of your individuality can bring you to the great heights, and drop you off if you neglect your spiritual identity. You are always looking for an opportunity to investigate the unknown, to use and show your mental abilities, to find the purpose and meaning of life. You want to grow wise and to understand people and things. You need privacy to replenish your energy. You have a unique way of thinking, intuitive, reflective, absorbing.
✦ Pelia's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Pelia's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.