Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Anabelle
GirlScottish, English· “possibly lovable”
- Meaning
- possibly lovable (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Scottish, English
- Pronunciation
- AN-uh-bel
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #2,960
- US babies 2025
- 56
- Best rank
- #460 (2013)
- Peak year
- 2014
Meaning and origin of Anabelle
Anabelle is often said to mean “possibly lovable”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Scottish and English roots.
Anabelle is a spelling of Annabel, a name that has been used in Scotland since the Middle Ages. Its origin is uncertain; it is often linked to Amabel, from the Latin amabilis, meaning "lovable," though many people read it as a combination of Anna and Belle, "beautiful." Annabel Drummond was the mother of King James I of Scotland, and Edgar Allan Poe's poem "Annabel Lee" gave the name a romantic, haunting association. Anabelle has a gentle, elegant sound, with Ana, Belle and Bella as nicknames.
Popularity over time
Anabelle first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 13 different years, starting in 2005. Its best national rank was #460 in 2013, and the most babies received it in 2014, when 686 were named Anabelle. In 2025, 56 babies were named Anabelle, and it ranked #2,960 nationally. That is 85% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,347 in 1920, #4,154 in 1980, #1,432 in 2000, #477 in 2010, and #2,960 in 2025. Of the 8,919 US girls named Anabelle since records began, 52% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 2,947 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Aleena, Emmalyn, Madilynn, Annabel, and Charley.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Anabelle ranked highest in California and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #1750 | 12 |
| Florida | #1906 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Anabelle is usually pronounced AN-uh-bel, with four syllables. It has eight letters, starts with A and ends in “-le”.
Middle names for Anabelle
A few middle names that flow with Anabelle: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Anabelle
Similar names
Arabelle Girl
EH-ruh-behl
“uncertain; perhaps 'yielding to prayer'” · Scottish
#2,037
Annabelle Girl
A-nuh-behl
“lovable; or Anna plus belle” · English
#343
Elle Girl
EHL
“she; short form of Eleanor or Ellen” · French
#461
Arabella Girl
air-uh-BEL-uh
“uncertain; possibly yielding to prayer” · Scottish
#213
Evangeline Girl
ih-VAN-juh-leen
“good news” · Greek
#147
Joelle Girl
joh-EHL
“Yahweh is God” · French
#1,010
Gisselle Girl
jih-ZEHL
“variant of Giselle, 'pledge'” · French
#1,812
Eleanora Girl
eh-lee-uh-NAWR-uh
“form of Eleanor, origin uncertain” · English
#865
Evelina Girl
eh-vuh-LEE-nuh
English
#778
Georgiana Girl
jawr-jee-AN-uh
“feminine of George, farmer” · English
#1,418
Mirabelle Girl
MIH-ruh-behl
“wonderful, lovely” · French
#2,249
Isabelle Girl
IH-zuh-behl
“form of Elizabeth; my God is an oath” · French
#166
Lists that include Anabelle
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Anabelle mean?
Anabelle is often said to mean “possibly lovable”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Scottish and English roots.
What is the origin of the name Anabelle?
Anabelle has Scottish and English roots. Anabelle is a spelling of Annabel, a name that has been used in Scotland since the Middle Ages.
Is Anabelle a popular name?
Not especially. Anabelle ranked #2,960 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Anabelle a boy or girl name?
Anabelle is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Anabelle?
Anabelle is usually pronounced AN-uh-bel. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings