Find out how popular the first name Cheslea has been for the last 6 years (from 1988 to 1993) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cheslea by gender

Based on the last 6 years of data, Cheslea is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1993, there were 10 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Cheslea.

The history of the first name Cheslea

The name Cheslea is derived from the Old English word "cœlc" which means "chalk" or "limestone". It originated in the area now known as Chelsea, a district in West London, England. The name refers to the chalky soil found along the River Thames in that region.

During the Middle Ages, the settlement was known as "Chelcheya" or "Chelchihithe", variations of the name that reflected the local pronunciation. The earliest recorded usage of the name dates back to the late 11th century when it appeared in the Domesday Book, a survey of land ownership commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086.

In the 13th century, the name was associated with the Chelsea Bun, a type of sweet bread made famous by the Chelsea Bun House, a popular bakery located in the area. The name gained further recognition in the 16th century when Sir Thomas More, a prominent Renaissance humanist and Lord Chancellor of England (1478-1535), built a grand manor house in Chelsea.

One of the earliest notable figures to bear the name Cheslea was Sir Arthur Cheslea (1590-1653), an English soldier and politician who served as a member of Parliament during the English Civil War. Another prominent individual was Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753), an Irish physician and botanist who owned vast estates in Chelsea and whose collections formed the basis of the British Museum.

In the realm of literature, the name Cheslea is associated with the poet and playwright Thomas Dekker (c. 1572-1632), who was born in Chelsea and is known for works such as "The Shoemaker's Holiday" and "The Gull's Hornbook". The writer and diarist John Evelyn (1620-1706) also lived in Chelsea and documented the area's history in his writings.

During the 19th century, the name gained prominence with figures like the artist James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903), who lived and worked in Chelsea, and the painter Walter Greaves (1846-1930), known for his depictions of the Chelsea Embankment and Thames riverscapes.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cheslea was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cheslea, please contact us.

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