Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Luella
GirlEnglish· “blend of Lou and Ella”
- Meaning
- blend of Lou and Ella
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- loo-EH-luh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #780
- US babies 2025
- 349
- Best rank
- #120 (1881)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Luella
Luella is an English name that is usually said to mean “blend of Lou and Ella”.
Luella is usually explained as a blend of Lou, as in Louise, and Ella, joined into a single flowing name. Louise traces back to Germanic roots meaning "famous warrior," while Ella has several sources, including a Germanic word meaning "all" or "other." Luella was in steady use in the United States during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries before falling out of fashion. Today it is enjoying a quiet revival alongside other vintage names with a lilting sound, such as Louisa, Stella and Eloise. Lulu, Lou and Ella all make charming nicknames, which gives Luella flexibility as a child grows and adds to its old-fashioned charm.
Popularity over time
Luella 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 83 different years. Its best national rank was #120 in 1881, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 949 were named Luella. In 2025, 349 babies were named Luella, and it ranked #780 nationally. That is 97% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #224 in 1920, #769 in 1950, #4,875 in 1980, #7,409 in 2000, #1,955 in 2010, and #780 in 2025. Of the 32,605 US girls named Luella since records began, 23% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 6,648 babies. Since 2010, 3,592 more have been named Luella.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Cecelia, Effie, Ora, May, and Iva.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Luella ranked highest in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #179 | 7 |
| Minnesota | #207 | 27 |
| Wisconsin | #261 | 21 |
| Oregon | #285 | 13 |
| Iowa | #368 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Luella is usually pronounced loo-EH-luh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with L and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Luella
A few middle names that flow with Luella: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Luella
Similar names
Louella Girl
loo-EL-uh
“blend of Lou and Ella” · English
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LOH-luh
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eh-STEL-uh
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Marcella Girl
mar-SEL-uh
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Marigold Girl
MEHR-ih-gohld
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Bella Girl
BEL-uh
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Charlie Unisex
CHAHR-lee
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Makayla Girl
muh-KAY-luh
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Daniela Girl
dan-YEH-luh
“God is my judge” · Spanish
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Angela Girl
AN-juh-luh
“angel, messenger” · Latin
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Lists that include Luella
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Luella mean?
Luella is an English name that is usually said to mean “blend of Lou and Ella”.
What is the origin of the name Luella?
Luella has English roots. Luella is usually explained as a blend of Lou, as in Louise, and Ella, joined into a single flowing name.
Is Luella a popular name?
Yes. Luella ranked #780 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Luella a boy or girl name?
Luella is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Luella?
Luella is usually pronounced loo-EH-luh. 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