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GirlOrigin debated2 syllables

Bella

Meaning: not confirmed (origin debated)

About the name Bella

The origin of Bella is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Italian roots, with the meaning “Beautiful”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.

Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Bella we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.

It has a modern feel. In 2025, Bella ranked #136 for girls in the US, with 2,129 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2010. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Bella were girls.

US rank 2025
#136
In 2015
#74
Babies in 2025
2,129

Popularity of Bella, 1940–2025

01.3k2.6k3.9k5.1k19401960198020002020
Girls BoysBabies per year in the US

Latest SSA data: 2025.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).

Names similar to Bella

Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.