The nameBella

Bella is an Italian word meaning "beautiful" and a short form of Isabella. Twilight made it a favourite in the 2010s.

Meaning

Bella means "beautiful" in Italian and is also a short form of Isabella or Annabella.

Origin

Italian.

History

Bella Swan, heroine of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight novels (2005) and films, made the name very popular. It was in the American top 100 from 2009 to 2022 and reached 52nd place in England and Wales in 2014.

Famous people named Bella

Popularity of the name Bella

Bella in the United States

109thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
2010peak year (5,143 births)
81,582babies named Bella in the United States since 1880
02,5725,143 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Bella was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 43,226 births over the decade, 53% of all recorded babies named Bella. Its rise began around 2002, and it peaked in 2010. Half of all babies named Bella in the United States were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 2,990 births a year on average, against 4,227 in the five years before.

Bella in the United Kingdom

90thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2014peak year (1,250 births)
16,061babies named Bella in the United Kingdom since 1997
06251,250 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Bella was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 10,414 births over the decade, 65% of all recorded babies named Bella. Its rise began around 2007, and it peaked in 2014. Half of all babies named Bella in the United Kingdom were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 716 births a year on average, against 1,033 in the five years before.

Bella in Ireland

113thmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025
2021peak year (81 births)
896babies named Bella in Ireland since 1964
04181 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Bella in France

681stmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
2014peak year (170 births)
2,020babies named Bella in France since 1900
085170 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Bella

Names from the same generation as Bella, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Bella? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Bella with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Bella side by side with the name of your choice.

Bella in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Bella mean?

Bella means "beautiful" in Italian and is also a short form of Isabella or Annabella.

What is the origin of the name Bella?

Italian.

Is Bella a girl's or a boy's name?

Bella is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Bella?

In 2024, Bella was the 109th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 2,469 births.

What are the variants of the name Bella?

Variants and related names of Bella include Isabella.

What are good sibling names for Bella?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Serenity, Eva, Zoey and Layla for a sister, Kayden, Giovanni, Bryson and Eli for a brother.

Who are famous people named Bella?

Bella Hadid, model; Bella Ramsey, actor; Bella Thorne, actress.