Bella Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity & Nicknames

Bella Name Meaning and Origin

Of Italian origin, Bella is primarily a female name that means ‘Beautiful,’ or ‘God Is My Oath.’ Derived from the name Isabella, Bella is similar to “beautiful” in Spanish, French, Latin, Portuguese, and Greek. Although Bella is mostly used as a nickname for Isabella, Mirabella, or Arabella, it can also make a good forename for children.

What Does Bella Mean?

The meaning of Bella in Italian and French can be translated as ‘beautiful,’ while in Hebrew, it means ‘Gift of God’s favor.’ The French equivalent Belle and the Italian Belle are derived from the Latin ‘Bellus’ meaning ‘pretty,’ ‘fair,’ or ‘charming.’ It might have possibly been a habitational name derived from Basilicata Bella, in Potenza, which may have been named with Latin labellum’ little basin’ in mind.

Origin

Bella was used as far back as the 13th century before disappearing and becoming fashionable again during the eighteenth century. Carrying a hint of a nice Old World grandmotherly veneer, Bella is one of the most beautiful girl names starting with B. Bella can also be a shortened form of Bellatrix or Belinda. It is quite a common name for females in Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, and some English-speaking countries.

Gender

Female

Pronunciation

  • Bell-ah
  • B(el)-la

Syllables

2 syllables

Length/Letter

5 letters

Name Variations/Spellings

The most exotic touch of name variants can give an invaluable edge over the baby names competition. Alternatives of Bella have bloomed in several other global languages, nationalities, and cultures. Here are some of the Bella name variations and other spellings for Bella that might attract your attention and become a favorite:

Name Origin
Annabella Hebrew
Bellissa Latin
Arabella Latin
Claribel English
Elizabeth Hebrew
Isabella Italian
Labella Latin
Mirabella Latin
Stella Latin
Pella Greek
Billa German

How Popular Is the Name Bella?

Popular in the 1800s, the Bella popularity index was relatively low in the US before climbing up to the top of the charts in the early 2000s. According to Social Security Administration data, the Bella baby name ranking has made a remarkable jump from 749 in 2000 to the top 50 popular names in the chart since 2017. As names ending with -a are gaining importance, Bella will stay relevant for years to come. With Mark Ruffalo naming his daughter Bella Noche and the lead character of the “Twilight” novels and movies, Bella Swan, becoming popular, this name has got a much-deserved boost. Bellas is also a female acapella group in the “Pitch Perfect” movies.

Interest in Bella – Worldwide

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Search trends record interest for Bella’s name, showing a value of over 60 over the last ten years, reaching 100 in June 2019. The lowest value recorded was 60 in October 2011.

Interest in Bella – US

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Search trends for the name Bella have recorded a consistent value of over 40, reaching 100 in June 2019. The lowest interest value of Bella’s name was recorded in October 2011, September 2012, and October 2012 at just 40.

The Popularity of name Bella 

URL: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi

Where Is the Name Most Searched?

Search trends of Bella – Worldwide

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Search trends for the name Bella show maximum interest in Tanzania over the last decade. Its lowest rating was at 60 in October 2011, while it reached peak popularity in June 2019. As Christianity is the predominant religion of Tanzania, a Hebrew name like Bella has gained maximum popularity there. Italy, Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Panama follow close behind.

Search trends of Bella – US

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Arkansas has led the search trends among the sub-regions of the US for the name Bella over the past decade. Sub-regions like California, New Jersey, New York, and Texas compete to secure the top 5 positions.

Middle Names That Go With Bella

A middle name offers a pleasant combination and ensures a child’s choice between a given name and a middle name. Some of the best double names with Bella that will roll off the tongue with ease:

Angela Hope
Anne Luna
Celine Madeline
Charlotte Lynn
Danielle Kate
Elizabeth Rose
Elyse Maria
Anne Nicole
Faith Skye
Grace Sophia
Isla May

Famous People Named Bella

The significance of popular celebrities who make a name for themselves is most often related to fame. Parents looking for inspiration for naming their child can refer to the list of famous people called Bella given below:

Celebrity Name Profession/Famous For
Bella Milagro Daughter of Josiah & Lauren Duggar, from TLC’s “Counting On”
Bella Abzug U.S. Congresswoman from New York
Bella Freud English Fashion Designer
Bella Pilar American Illustrator
Bella Becker American Singer and Actress
Bella Lewitzsky American Choreographer
Bella Rosenfeld Chagall Belarusian Novelist
Annabella Avery “Bella” Thorne American Actress
Arwen Arabella “Bella” Hardy English Folk Singer
Bella Hadid American Model
Bella Darvi Polish Born French Actress

Similar Names & Last Names

Baby names like Bella with different spellings and meanings may carry a special, vintage vibe. Family names for Bella uphold the beauty of the name with dignity and honor. Some other names for Bella may work just as well as the forename:

Other Baby Names Suitable Family Names
Isabella Barlowe
Ava Caddel
Chloe Katz
Charlotte Laurier
Amelia Whitlock
Violet Elrod
Liam Monroe
Jasmine Ashley
Natasha West
Aria Langley

Names That Sound Like Bella

Names that rhyme with Bella can sound poetic enough to increase the aesthetic value of the name. A name like Bella has an elegant air that pays a beautiful homage to the musicality and lyricism of the English language.

Belia Bellanca
Belanna Bela
Bellissa Belvia
Belkis Belona
Belda Amabel
Belisse Jezebel
Belisarda Bluebell
Belva Mirabel
Belen Rebel
Belladona Christabel
Belindra Abella

Sibling Names Related to Bella

As sibling love involves shared upbringing, genes, and secrets, their names should also match to enhance their bond. Here are some of the best sibling names that go with a name like Bella.

Sister Names for Bella Brother Names for Bella
Kara Andrew
Quinn Josh
Livia Blake
Maya Daniel
Maeve Harry
Gracie Ben
Eliza John
Lucy Max
Amelia Jackson
Indie George

Nicknames for Bella

Nicknames are short forms that contain special elements of the name. Attaching suffixes to the original name or giving the name an interesting twist can make it sound cooler. Here are some of the most creative nicknames for Bella that can infuse more love into the relationship.

Bell Bellarina
Ella Bella Boo
Ells MayBelle
Ellie Belarosa
Beli Bella Bear
BeeBee Bella Bean
BB Bellissa
Bellers Tinkerbella
Beauty Belina

After remaining obscure for several years, Bella has stepped out of the shadows of Isabella, Mirabella, or Arabella into the spotlight as a standalone name. This delicate, sweet, and ultra-feminine name has endless potential, wearing well on any little girl, whether she’s a pampered princess or an artistic star.

Sources/References

Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
Bella Name Popularity in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-09-19%202021-05-11&geo=US&q=Bella
Bella Name Popularity Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-09-19%202021-05-11&q=Bella
Bella Name Interest in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-09-19%202021-05-11&geo=US&q=Bella
Bella Name Interest Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-09-19%202021-05-11&q=Bella

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