Between 1920 and 2025, an old female first name increased from 50 to
860 births in France, according to data from theINSEE. Long ranked in the category of grandmother’s first names, it is now 56th in the women’s ranking and is found in maternity wards, especially in Hauts-de-France where it is proportionally the most given.
This first name is Celestial. Its spectacular return sticks to the wave of vintage names, but with a separate curve: after a long slump from the 1930s, Céleste regained color in the 2010s, then jumped 110% over ten years. It is no longer a retro curiosity, but a choice for a new generation, with an average age around 11 years old.
First name Céleste: a steady rise since 2010
The available figures show continued progress. In 1920, only 50 little girls were given the first name Céleste in France. According to INSEE, 860 births were recorded in 2025, very close to the record of 2022, the year when 870 babies had this first name. The Onomancy site details the last few years: 855 births in 2021, 870 in 2022, 810 in 2023, 815 in 2024, then 860 in 2025. The level therefore remains high and stable.
Another useful point for parents: INSEE counts births per year, while Onomancy also estimates the number of “living carriers” and the median age. Concretely, Céleste is today mainly the first name of little girls and teenagers, much more than of seniors. The first name therefore has an ancient history, but it now sounds like a marker of youth.
Origin, meaning and culture around the first name Céleste
Celeste comes from Latin “caelestis”, which refers to what belongs to heaven or the divine domain. Its root “caelum” means “sky”. This bright lexical field contributes greatly to its charm: parents see it as a poetic first namegentle, almost spiritual without being strictly religious. Céleste was also used in the masculine form, and has two close cousins,
Celestin And Celestinefor those who love this sound family.
This name doesn’t come out of nowhere. In the 19th century, the dancer and memoirist Celeste Mogador anchored him in French culture, just like Céleste Albaret, Marcel Proust’s traveling companion. British singer Celeste, born in 1994, gives it a welcome international touch. Its religious roots also exist: the feast of Celeste is set for October 14, in connection with Saint Celeste of Metz.
Céleste, a vintage feminine first name… and almost unisex
Historically mixed, Céleste is today largely feminine in France, even if a few boys still wear it. The spelling may vary: civil status in “Céleste” with accent, “Celeste” version to facilitate international use, or rarer spellings like “Céleste”. In all cases, the first name keeps its sound in three syllables, light and airy.
Geographically, Céleste is especially popular in Hauts-de-France, but it can now be found throughout the country. The statistics remind us that the department indicated corresponds to the place of birth, not necessarily the place of life, which explains the strong pockets around certain large hospitals. For parents looking for a old first name which remains original without being exotic, Céleste, Célestin or Célestine today form a highly coveted trio.