Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Annabel
GirlScottish, Latin· “lovable”
- Meaning
- lovable
- Origin
- Scottish, Latin
- Pronunciation
- AN-uh-bel
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,065
- US babies 2025
- 91
- Best rank
- #447 (2014)
- Peak year
- 2014
Meaning and origin of Annabel
Annabel is a Scottish and Latin name that is usually said to mean “lovable”.
Annabel is a Scottish name recorded since the Middle Ages, probably a form of Amabel, from the Latin amabilis, meaning lovable, reshaped under the influence of Anna. Annabella Drummond was queen of Scotland as the wife of Robert III and the mother of James I of Scotland. Edgar Allan Poe's poem Annabel Lee, published just after his death in 1849, gave the name a lasting literary association. The spellings Annabelle and Anabel developed later, and the name has had a strong revival as a vintage choice. Annie, Anna and Belle are natural nicknames.
Popularity over time
Annabel has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 72 different years. Its best national rank was #447 in 2014, the same year it reached its highest count of 716 babies. In 2025, 91 babies were named Annabel, and it ranked #2,065 nationally. That is 80% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #628 in 1920, #1,724 in 1950, #1,805 in 1980, #941 in 2000, #629 in 2010, and #2,065 in 2025. Of the 14,974 US girls named Annabel since records began, 31% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 3,131 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Emmalyn, Aleena, Anabelle, Madilynn, and Charley.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Annabel ranked highest in Illinois, New York, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #1126 | 7 |
| New York | #1539 | 8 |
| California | #1754 | 12 |
| Texas | #3333 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Annabel is usually pronounced AN-uh-bel, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with A and ends in “-el”.
Middle names for Annabel
A few middle names that flow with Annabel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Annabel
Similar names
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MEER-uh-behl
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uh-MEEL-yuh
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Annabelle Girl
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Juliette Girl
joo-lee-ET
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Miranda Girl
mur-AN-duh
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Fiona Girl
fee-OH-nuh
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suh-BREE-nuh
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Vivienne Girl
VIH-vee-ehn
“alive” · French
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Lists that include Annabel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Annabel mean?
Annabel is a Scottish and Latin name that is usually said to mean “lovable”.
What is the origin of the name Annabel?
Annabel has Scottish and Latin roots. Annabel is a Scottish name recorded since the Middle Ages, probably a form of Amabel, from the Latin amabilis, meaning lovable, reshaped under the influence of Anna.
Is Annabel a popular name?
Not especially. Annabel ranked #2,065 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Annabel a boy or girl name?
Annabel is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Annabel?
Annabel 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