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Della Girl

Popularity: #487 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DEL-uh //ˈdɛl.ə//

Origin: Italian; English

Meaning: Italian: noble; English: short form of Adela

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Della has its roots in the Italian name Adela, which is derived from the Germanic element "adal," meaning "noble." The name Adela made its way into Old French as "Adele" before being adapted into various forms across Europe. In the English-speaking world, Della emerged as a diminutive or variant of Adela, gaining traction in the 19th century as a standalone name.

The transition into English showcases the influence of both Italian and French linguistic traditions, reflecting the broader patterns of name adoption and adaptation during that period. Historically, the name Della can be associated with various notable figures and cultural milestones.

While not directly mentioned in biblical texts, the roots of its parent name Adela can be traced back to the medieval period, where names derived from noble lineage were common among European aristocracy. The name gained further recognition through literary works and the arts, particularly in the 19th century, when names reflecting nobility and elegance became fashionable.

This period saw the rise of romantic literature, where names like Della were often used to evoke a sense of grace and refinement. Culturally, Della carries connotations of nobility and dignity, resonating with the ideals of chivalry and virtue prevalent in medieval European society.

The name has been embraced in various artistic expressions, including literature and music, often symbolizing beauty and strength. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Dell have appeared in literature, further enriching the name's cultural tapestry.

Overall, Della's historical journey reflects a blend of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, marking its place in the lineage of names that celebrate noble heritage.

Famous people named Della

Della Reese is a singer and actress best known for Touched by an Angel, Della, and The Twilight Zone.
Della Street is a fictional character in the Perry Mason series created by Erle Stanley Gardner.

Fictional characters named Della

Della Duck is a fictional character from the comic book series DuckTales. She is the mother of Huey, Dewey, and Louie and plays a significant role in their adventures.

Sibling suggestions

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U.S. Historical Usage

The name Della was first seen in the United States in 1880. Della has ranked as high as #283 nationally, which occurred in 1917, and has been most popular in Kentucky, North Carolina, California, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Della has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Della (2024)

State Births Share
OH 28
6%
CA 27
6%
TX 26
6%
IL 26
6%
PA 22
5%
IN 22
5%
TN 22
5%
MO 20
4%
NC 20
4%
FL 17
4%
GA 17
4%
KY 16
3%
WI 16
3%
UT 15
3%
MN 15
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880391
1881428
1882447
1883453
1884541
1885500
1886565
1887496
1888621
1889606
1890631
1891607
1892666
1893660
1894681
1895648
1896642
1897624
1898656
1899595
1900748
1901534
1902609
1903611
1904607
1905593
1906557
1907582
1908549
1909568
1910602
1911645
1912733
1913789
1914879
19151,086
19161,172
19171,192
19181,162
19191,190
19201,137
19211,153
19221,155
19231,125
19241,050
19251,028
19261,009
1927946
1928897
1929866
1930887
1931863
1932844
1933850
1934796
1935774
1936721
1937787
1938748
1939680
1940650
1941673
1942681
1943681
1944636
1945532
1946588
1947732
1948611
1949574
1950620
1951654
1952614
1953550
1954591
1955590
1956542
1957538
1958663
1959676
1960745
1961615
1962520
1963535
1964469
1965389
1966369
1967326
1968324
1969291
1970291
1971247
1972204
1973173
1974165
1975165
1976145
1977180
1978119
1979115
1980108
198198
198296
198390
198474
198559
198684
198762
198864
198979
199056
199155
199259
199349
199457
199553
199654
199742
199837
199950
200045
200144
200262
200368
200475
200578
200687
200768
200877
2009115
2010133
2011120
2012174
2013164
2014194
2015217
2016248
2017252
2018314
2019339
2020284
2021405
2022449
2023453
2024518