"new, fresh, little new thing"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
Novella
Pronunciation: [ n-ohv-EHL-uh ]
Does Novella flow with your last name?
A literary gem meaning new and full of stories
Italian
American
English
Literary
Whimsical
Unique
Elegant
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Novella
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"a short novel, fictional narrative"
Origin: Italian
Language: English
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The Story of Novella
Novella comes from the Italian and Latin 'novella' meaning 'new' or 'little new thing.' In literary terms, a novella is a work of fiction longer than a short story but shorter than a novel — the form perfected by writers like Henry James and Thomas Mann. As a name, Novella carries both the freshness of 'nova' (new) and the literary sophistication of the form. It's a name for bookish parents who also love the celestial feel of Nova.
Novella is rising as part of the literary name trend, joining names like Poet, Story, and Lyric. Parents who love the popular Nova but want something more elaborate and literary are discovering Novella. It has all the warmth of Bella with an intellectual twist.
The novella as a literary form produced some of literature's most celebrated works: Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Kafka's The Metamorphosis, and Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Naming a child Novella connects her to this rich literary tradition.
Historical Record
Novella first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,905 babies have been named Novella in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Novella is past its peak , currently ranked #3,527 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The novella as a literary form was popularized by Italian writers during the Renaissance, including Boccaccio's Decameron
- Novella Nelson was an American actress and singer in the 20th century
- Novella contains Nova (new star), giving it a cosmic dimension as well
Novella in Other Languages
Latin
Novella
French
Nouvelle
Italian
Novella
Spanish
Novela
Popularity Over Time
#3,527
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Novella
N
Novella Nelson
Actor
1939
American actress and singer who worked on Broadway and in film and television
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,527
- Total SSA Count
- 44
- Cultural Origins
- Italian American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Nova
Nella
Ellie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Novella
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Italian)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Novella
What does the name Novella mean?
"new, fresh, little new thing" (from Latin). "a short novel, fictional narrative" (from Italian). Novella comes from the Italian and Latin 'novella' meaning 'new' or 'little new thing.' In literary terms, a novella is a work of fiction longer than a short story but shorter than a novel — the form perfected by writers like Henry James and Thomas Mann. As a name, Novella carries both the freshness of 'nova' (new) and the literary sophistication of the form. It's a name for bookish parents who also love the celestial feel of Nova.
What is the origin of the name Novella?
Novella has Latin, Italian, American, and English origins. In Latin, it means "new, fresh, little new thing". In Italian, it means "a short novel, fictional narrative".
Is Novella a boy or girl name?
Novella is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Novella?
Novella is pronounced n-ohv-EHL-uh.
How popular is the name Novella?
Novella is currently ranked #3527 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Novella?
Common nicknames for Novella include Nova, Nella, and Ellie.
What are good middle names for Novella?
Popular middle name pairings include Novella Rose, Novella June, Novella Wren, Novella Claire, Novella Mae, Novella Sage, and Novella Grace.
What are good sibling names for Novella?
Names that pair well with Novella as siblings include Poet, Story, Nova, Lyric, Aria, Quinn, and Verse.
How many syllables does Novella have?
Novella has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Novella a common or rare name?
Novella is an uncommon name, ranked #3527 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Novella?
Are there other spellings for Novella?
Related spellings include November.
About the Name Novella
Novella is a girl name with Italian, American, and English origins . The name means "new, fresh, little new thing" in Latin .
Novella is currently ranked #3,527 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Novella has 3 syllables and is pronounced n-ohv-EHL-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Novella include Nova, Nella, and Ellie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Novella include November . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis