Arbell
A girl's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 61 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Arbell peaked during early twentieth-century America, when 10 babies received this name in a single year (1921). That era was defined by heritage-rooted naming, and Arbell has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.
Arbell is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Arbell is a girl's baby name of Scottish origin, a Scottish form of Arabella — from the Latin possibly meaning 'yielding to prayer' or from the Old German meaning 'eagle brave.' The shortened Scottish form gives the ornate Arabella a Highland directness.
Arbell has the compressed elegance of Scottish names that carry the weight of a longer original in a simpler form. For parents who love Arabella but want something more unusual, Arbell is the answer — smaller, rarer, and quietly beautiful.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Arbell belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Scottish Gaelic naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Scottish Gaelic names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Arbell’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Arbell has 10+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1910.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 | #4240 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 32 | #4360 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 24 | #3634 | — |
The Story of Arbell
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Arbell is a name steeped in history. Girls named Arbell are most likely born between 1911 and 1931.
How rare is Arbell?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Arbell is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1910, peaked in the 1920s with 32 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Arbell by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(10 years, 1910–1935)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | 5 | #4240 |
| 1927 | 5 | #4838 |
| 1926 | 5 | #4885 |
| 1924 | 6 | #4474 |
| 1921 | 10 | #3174 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4427 |
| 1918 | 8 | #3537 |
| 1917 | 6 | #4114 |
| 1916 | 5 | #4457 |
| 1910 | 5 | #2427 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arbell a boy's or girl's name?
When was Arbell most popular?
How popular is the name Arbell?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1910–1935