Bella Girl

Popularity: #133 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BEL-uh //ˈbɛlə//

Origin: Italian; Latin

Meaning: Italian: beautiful; Latin: God is my oath

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Bella has its roots in the Latin word "bellus," which means "beautiful." This term evolved through various languages, including Italian and Spanish, where it is commonly used as an adjective to describe beauty. The name Bella entered the English language primarily through Italian influence, particularly during the Renaissance period when interest in classical art and literature flourished.

It is often used as a diminutive form of names such as Isabella or Arabella, which also carry connotations of beauty and grace. Historically, the name Bella has been associated with several notable figures and cultural milestones.

One significant reference is the biblical figure of Elizabeth, whose name has variants like Isabella. The name Isabella gained prominence in medieval Europe, particularly with the reign of Queen Isabella of Castile in the late 15th century, who played a crucial role in the unification of Spain and the sponsorship of Christopher Columbus's voyages.

This connection to royal lineage and historical events has contributed to the name's enduring appeal. Culturally, Bella has been embraced in various artistic and literary contexts, symbolizing not only physical beauty but also inner virtue and strength.

The name has appeared in numerous works of literature and art, reinforcing its association with positive qualities. In addition to its use as a standalone name, Bella has inspired a range of diminutive forms and variations across different cultures, reflecting its adaptability and resonance in various linguistic traditions.

Overall, the name Bella encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural symbolism.

Famous people named Bella

In this section, you will find notable people named Bella. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Bella who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Bella who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Bella Thorne is an actress and singer best known for Shake It Up, The DUFF, and Famous in Love.

Bella Hadid is a model best known for her work with Victoria's Secret, Dior, and her appearances in high-fashion campaigns.

Fictional characters named Bella

The following list of fictional characters named Bella is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Bella Swan is a fictional character from the book and film series Twilight. She is the protagonist who navigates her complex relationships with vampires and werewolves while discovering her own identity.

Bella Cullen is a fictional character from the book and film series Twilight. She is the vampire version of Bella Swan, who embraces her new life and powers after being transformed into a vampire.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Bella, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

LunaMiaEllaSofiaClaraNina

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Bella. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

IsabellaAnnabellaGabriellaStellaArabellaMirabella

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Bella was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Bella has ranked as high as #130 nationally, which occurred in 2010, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Bella has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Bella is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Bella was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Bella.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 2,129 0 2,129
2024 2,479 0 2,479
2023 2,566 0 2,566
2022 2,915 0 2,915
2021 3,369 0 3,369
2020 3,649 0 3,649
2019 4,404 5 4,399
2018 4,578 0 4,578
2017 4,673 6 4,667
2016 3,685 0 3,685
2015 3,814 0 3,814
2014 4,114 7 4,107
2013 4,190 0 4,190
2012 4,362 0 4,362
2011 4,289 9 4,280
2010 5,144 8 5,136
2009 4,545 5 4,540
2008 2,793 5 2,788
2007 2,260 0 2,260
2006 1,959 0 1,959
2005 1,664 0 1,664
2004 1,240 0 1,240
2003 974 0 974
2002 683 0 683
2001 413 0 413
2000 307 0 307
1999 185 0 185
1998 156 0 156
1997 95 0 95
1996 72 0 72
1995 107 0 107
1994 76 0 76
1993 49 0 49
1992 39 0 39
1991 47 0 47
1990 28 0 28
1989 17 0 17
1988 20 0 20
1987 19 0 19
1986 17 0 17
1985 23 0 23
1984 19 0 19
1983 22 0 22
1982 22 0 22
1981 19 0 19
1980 17 0 17
1979 25 0 25
1978 19 0 19
1977 26 0 26
1976 18 0 18
1975 29 0 29
1974 19 0 19
1973 28 0 28
1972 19 0 19
1971 21 0 21
1970 32 0 32
1969 18 0 18
1968 24 0 24
1967 16 0 16
1966 16 0 16
1965 34 0 34
1964 21 0 21
1963 22 0 22
1962 24 0 24
1961 22 0 22
1960 30 0 30
1959 24 0 24
1958 34 0 34
1957 24 0 24
1956 25 0 25
1955 41 0 41
1954 28 0 28
1953 43 0 43
1952 36 0 36
1951 29 0 29
1950 21 0 21
1949 30 0 30
1948 26 0 26
1947 43 0 43
1946 23 0 23
1945 13 0 13
1944 16 0 16
1943 16 0 16
1942 22 0 22
1941 27 0 27
1940 19 0 19
1939 25 0 25
1938 19 0 19
1937 19 0 19
1936 29 0 29
1935 28 0 28
1934 45 0 45
1933 37 0 37
1932 47 0 47
1931 50 0 50
1930 64 0 64
1929 83 0 83
1928 73 0 73
1927 90 0 90
1926 106 0 106
1925 133 0 133
1924 134 0 134
1923 172 0 172
1922 178 0 178
1921 192 0 192
1920 188 0 188
1919 211 0 211
1918 238 0 238
1917 215 0 215
1916 207 0 207
1915 160 0 160
1914 152 0 152
1913 125 0 125
1912 113 0 113
1911 82 0 82
1910 73 0 73
1909 75 0 75
1908 65 0 65
1907 60 0 60
1906 54 0 54
1905 52 0 52
1904 43 0 43
1903 44 0 44
1902 53 0 53
1901 36 0 36
1900 73 0 73
1899 53 0 53
1898 39 0 39
1897 44 0 44
1896 43 0 43
1895 39 0 39
1894 35 0 35
1893 46 0 46
1892 53 0 53
1891 37 0 37
1890 42 0 42
1889 37 0 37
1888 31 0 31
1887 26 0 26
1886 22 0 22
1885 25 0 25
1884 31 0 31
1883 17 0 17
1882 16 0 16
1881 24 0 24
1880 13 0 13

Top States for Bella (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 393
16%
TX 243
10%
FL 229
9%
NY 175
7%
NJ 92
4%
NC 79
3%
PA 79
3%
IL 76
3%
GA 75
3%
MA 68
3%
VA 68
3%
OH 57
2%
AZ 55
2%
TN 52
2%
MI 44
2%
IN 43
2%
MO 41
2%
MD 40
2%
MN 40
2%
UT 37
2%
WA 37
2%
CT 34
1%
LA 32
1%
NV 32
1%
CO 29
1%
SC 28
1%
OK 27
1%
KY 26
1%
OR 25
1%
AL 25
1%
KS 19
1%
NE 18
1%
MS 18
1%
WI 17
1%
IA 14
1%
NM 12
0%
NH 11
0%
AR 10
0%
WV 10
0%
ID 10
0%
ME 8
0%
HI 7
0%
DC 6
0%
RI 5
0%
DE 5
0%