Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Chelsea
GirlEnglish, Old English· “chalk landing place”
- Meaning
- chalk landing place
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- CHEHL-see
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #851
- US babies 2025
- 319
- Best rank
- #15 (1992)
- Peak year
- 1992
Meaning and origin of Chelsea
Chelsea is an English and Old English name that means “chalk landing place”.
Chelsea is the name of a district of London on the north bank of the Thames. It comes from the Old English cealc, chalk, and hyth, a landing place on a river, describing a wharf where chalk or limestone was landed. The area became fashionable and artistic, and during the Swinging Sixties it was a center of youth culture and style. As a first name Chelsea spread in English-speaking countries later in the twentieth century. It has a bright, friendly sound and a clear association with London. Chels is the natural nickname.
Popularity over time
Chelsea first appears in US Social Security records in 1910. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 57 different years, starting in 1969. Its best national rank was #15 in 1992, the same year it reached its highest count of 16,177 babies. In 2025, 319 babies were named Chelsea, and it ranked #851 nationally. That is 70% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,821 in 1950, #412 in 1980, #140 in 2000, #223 in 2010, and #851 in 2025. Of the 162,884 US girls named Chelsea since records began, 52% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 43,163 babies. Since 2010, 13,015 more have been named Chelsea.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kayla, Victoria, Jasmine, Kelsey, and Taylor.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Chelsea ranked highest in Illinois, North Carolina, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #524 | 19 |
| North Carolina | #543 | 20 |
| Washington | #549 | 12 |
| New York | #569 | 29 |
| Arkansas | #582 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Chelsea is usually pronounced CHEHL-see, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with C and ends in “-ea”.
Middle names for Chelsea
A few middle names that flow with Chelsea: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Chelsea
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Lists that include Chelsea
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Chelsea mean?
Chelsea is an English and Old English name that means “chalk landing place”.
What is the origin of the name Chelsea?
Chelsea has English and Old English roots. Chelsea is the name of a district of London on the north bank of the Thames.
Is Chelsea a popular name?
Yes. Chelsea ranked #851 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Chelsea a boy or girl name?
Chelsea is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Chelsea?
Chelsea is usually pronounced CHEHL-see. 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