stelea

Stelea is a Romanian surname. It is relatively uncommon and is found primarily among Romanian-speaking populations, including members of the Romanian diaspora. The name is typically rendered as Stelea in Latin script and may appear without diacritics in some texts. The exact origin of the surname is not definitively established, but it is commonly linked to the Romanian noun stela, meaning a stele or monument, suggesting a toponymic or occupational origin.

Etymology and usage are debated among name researchers. Some theories connect Stelea to a place-name basis or to a historical association with stone markers and monuments, while others view it as a patronymic or derivative form developed within Romanian-speaking communities. The surname is mainly found in Romania and tends to cluster in regions with historical ties to development of surnames from geographical or material terms.

Notable people with the surname Stelea include Florin Stelea (born 1967), a Romanian former professional football goalkeeper. He played for Steaua București (the football club historically associated with the capital) and represented the Romanian national team, including appearances at major international tournaments in the 1990s.

The name Stelea should be distinguished from Steaua, the well-known football club based in Bucharest, which has a separate etymology and distinct usage. As a surname, Stelea represents a small but recognizable element of Romanian onomastics, illustrating how Romanian words for monuments and markers can appear in family names over generations.