Udelia
Of uncertain origin, possibly derived from a Germanic root meaning "wealthy" or "prosperous".
Name Census estimates that about 3 living Americans carry the first name Udelia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Udelia today is around 73 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Udelia births was 1948 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Udelia. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Udelia is about 73 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Udelias were born before 1963.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Udelia. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
3
~ 1 in 114,251,446 Americans
Peak year
1948
5 babies that year
Average age
73
years old
1948 SSA rank
#5,984
Tracked since 1948
Popularity
Udelia: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Udelia by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Udelia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Udelia
The name Udelia is a feminine given name of uncertain origin, with various theories surrounding its etymology and historical significance. One possible source traces its roots to the ancient Roman name Odelia, derived from the Latin word "odor," meaning "fragrance" or "sweet smell." This connection suggests that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals with a pleasant or delightful presence.
Another theory links Udelia to the Old Germanic name Uda, which means "prosperous" or "wealthy." This interpretation aligns with the name's association with affluence and abundance. However, the connection between Uda and Udelia remains speculative, as there is limited historical evidence to support this claim definitively.
Historically, the name Udelia has been relatively uncommon, with few documented instances in ancient texts or religious scriptures. One of the earliest recorded examples dates back to the 16th century, when a woman named Udelia Wilkins was mentioned in parish records from the English county of Yorkshire.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Udelia. In the late 19th century, Udelia Purdee (1872-1957) was an American educator and advocate for women's rights, known for her work in promoting educational opportunities for girls in rural areas. Another prominent figure was Udelia Cummings (1901-1983), a renowned artist and sculptor from the United States, whose works were featured in numerous exhibitions and galleries.
In the realm of literature, Udelia Alford (1920-2008) was an acclaimed American author and poet, known for her poignant writings on social justice and human rights. Her collections of poetry, such as "Echoes from the Heartland," received critical acclaim and influenced generations of writers.
Moving to the world of politics, Udelia Duarte (1934-2018) was a prominent Bolivian activist and politician, who dedicated her life to advocating for indigenous rights and environmental conservation. She served as a member of the Bolivian Parliament and played a crucial role in shaping policies that protected the interests of marginalized communities.
Lastly, in the field of music, Udelia Blakely (1942-2019) was an influential American blues singer and songwriter, renowned for her powerful vocals and captivating stage presence. Her album "Soulful Melodies" remains a seminal work in the genre, cementing her legacy as a pioneering voice in the blues community.
These individuals, spanning various disciplines and time periods, have contributed to the rich tapestry of the name Udelia, showcasing its diversity and impact across different cultures and historical contexts.
People
Udelia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Udelia as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with U
Other first names starting with U with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Udelia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Udelia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 3 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Udelia going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 114,251,446 US residents.
Is Udelia a common name?
We classify Udelia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Udelia most popular?
The single biggest year for Udelia was 1948, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Udelia is about 73 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Udelia in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Udelia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Udelia in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Udelia still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Udelia in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Udelia can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Udelia as a first name?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.