Hannah Girl
HA-nuh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#56
Celesta
GirlLatin· “heavenly”
- Meaning
- heavenly
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- suh-LEHS-tuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #846 (1881)
- Peak year
- 1921
Meaning and origin of Celesta
Celesta is a Latin name that is usually said to mean “heavenly”.
Celesta is taken from the Latin caelestis, meaning heavenly. It is a feminine form alongside Celeste and Celestine, names used in Catholic Europe partly because several popes were called Celestine. Celesta is also the name of a keyboard instrument with a bell-like sound, invented in France in the nineteenth century and famous from the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. As a given name it is said suh-LEHS-tuh. Celly and Cece are possible nicknames. Celesta feels bright and musical, a slightly rarer alternative to Celeste.
Popularity over time
Celesta first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 6 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #846 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 1921, when 47 were named Celesta. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #1,379 in 1920, #2,131 in 1950, #4,759 in 1980, and #10,921 in 2000. Of the 2,136 US girls named Celesta since records began, 16% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 259 babies. Since 2010, 59 more have been named Celesta.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Marye, Beula, Monnie, Madolyn, and Mayola.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Celesta is usually pronounced suh-LEHS-tuh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with C and ends in “-ta”.
Middle names for Celesta
A few middle names that flow with Celesta: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Celesta
Similar names
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Lists that include Celesta
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Celesta mean?
Celesta is a Latin name that is usually said to mean “heavenly”.
What is the origin of the name Celesta?
Celesta has Latin roots. Celesta is taken from the Latin caelestis, meaning heavenly.
Is Celesta a popular name?
No. Celesta was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Celesta a boy or girl name?
Celesta is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Celesta?
Celesta is usually pronounced suh-LEHS-tuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings