Nella
Nella is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Horn; or little light (as a short form of Antonella, Cornelia, or Eleanor).
Origin and history
Nella is traditionally a short form of Italian names ending in -nella, such as Antonella or Petronella, and is also linked to the Latin word for horn (Cornelia). It gained modest popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and has seen a mild revival in recent years. Today, it serves as a soft, vintage choice for parents seeking a rare alternative to Ella or Stella.
Popularity in the United States
4,374 babies in the United States have been named Nella since 1880. It ranks #2655 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1700.
States where it is most popular
- KY (22.5 %)
- TX (14.5 %)
- AL (12.3 %)
- CA (8.6 %)
- IL (8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 125 |
| 1890-1900 | 147 |
| 1900-1910 | 176 |
| 1910-1920 | 463 |
| 1920-1930 | 656 |
| 1930-1940 | 619 |
| 1940-1950 | 412 |
| 1950-1960 | 285 |
| 1960-1970 | 183 |
| 1970-1980 | 89 |
| 1980-1990 | 31 |
| 1990-2000 | 18 |
| 2000-2010 | 172 |
| 2010-2019 | 597 |
| 2020-2029 | 401 |
Famous people named Nella
- Nella Larsen: Author, Novelist
- Nella Anfuso: Singer, Musicologist
Fun facts
- Nella originated as a diminutive suffix in Italian before becoming an independent given name.
- Nella Larsen was an influential American novelist of the Harlem Renaissance, known for her books Quicksand and Passing.