Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Bella
GirlItalian, Latin· “beautiful”
- Meaning
- beautiful
- Origin
- Italian, Latin
- Pronunciation
- BEL-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #136
- US babies 2025
- 2,129
- Best rank
- #48 (2010)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Bella
Bella is an Italian and Latin name that means “beautiful”.
Bella is the Italian word for beautiful, from the Latin bellus. It has also long served as a short form of Isabella, Arabella and Annabella. As an independent name it was used in the nineteenth century and then became widely popular in recent decades, partly thanks to Bella Swan, the heroine of the Twilight novels. Bella is sweet, simple and easy to say across many languages. Some parents choose a longer name such as Isabella or Annabella and use Bella every day, while others prefer it on its own.
Other spellings with the same sound: Bela, Bellah.
Popularity over time
Bella 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 78 different years. Its best national rank was #48 in 2010, the same year it reached its highest count of 5,136 babies. In 2025, 2,129 babies were named Bella, and it ranked #136 nationally. That is 44% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #506 in 1920, #2,126 in 1950, #4,341 in 1980, #749 in 2000, #48 in 2010, and #136 in 2025. Of the 83,721 US girls named Bella since records began, 52% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 17,107 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Khloe, Sophie, Gabriella, Payton, and Leah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bella ranked highest in New Mexico, Florida, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #64 | 18 |
| Florida | #71 | 218 |
| New Jersey | #85 | 82 |
| California | #95 | 319 |
| Hawaii | #97 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Bella is usually pronounced BEL-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-la”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Bela and Bellah.
Middle names for Bella
A few middle names that flow with Bella: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bella
Similar names
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Annabella Girl
a-nuh-BEH-luh
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Perla Girl
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Lists that include Bella
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bella mean?
Bella is an Italian and Latin name that means “beautiful”.
What is the origin of the name Bella?
Bella has Italian and Latin roots. Bella is the Italian word for beautiful, from the Latin bellus.
Is Bella a popular name?
Yes. Bella ranked #136 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Bella a boy or girl name?
Bella is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Bella?
Bella is usually pronounced BEL-uh. 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