Arbella
A girl's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 82 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Arbella is a three-syllable girl's name with a melodic, romantic sound — a pattern shared with Italian and French feminine names. With only 82 recorded U.S. births, it is exceptionally rare — the kind of name most people encounter for the first time when they meet your child.
Arbella is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Arbella is a girl's baby name of Scottish origin, a variant of Arabella, which is thought to derive from the Latin orabilis meaning 'yielding to prayer' or 'easily entreated.' It has also been linked to the Germanic name Amabel.
The most famous historical bearer is Lady Arbella Stuart (1575–1615), a cousin of King James I who had a strong claim to the English throne — her very existence made her a political prisoner for much of her life. That royal and romantic pedigree gives Arbella a compelling story behind its elegant sound.
EtymologyShow more
Arbella is cataloged under the Scottish Gaelic naming tradition. Names from the Scottish Gaelic tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.
In the U.S., Arbella has been recorded as a girl's name since 1908, with 82 total births. Browse the Scottish Gaelic names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Arbella has 13+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1908.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 25 | #13457 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 29 | #13300 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 17 | #4568 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 5 | #4458 | ▼ |
| 1900s | 6 | #1877 | — |
The Story of Arbella
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2012, Arbella is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Arbella are most likely born between 2002 and 2022.
How rare is Arbella?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Arbella is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1908, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 29 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Arbella by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(13 years, 1908–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 | #12288 |
| 2022 | 6 | #13755 |
| 2021 | 5 | #15503 |
| 2020 | 7 | #12280 |
| 2019 | 7 | #12587 |
| 2017 | 6 | #14324 |
| 2016 | 5 | #16510 |
| 2012 | 11 | #9780 |
| 1929 | 6 | #4079 |
| 1922 | 6 | #4479 |
| 1921 | 5 | #5146 |
| 1916 | 5 | #4458 |
| 1908 | 6 | #1877 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1908–2023