"noble, of noble kind"
Origin: Old High German
Language: English
Della
Pronunciation: [ d-EHL-uh ]
Does Della flow with your last name?
A noble vintage name crossing gender lines
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Meaning & Origin
"bright, shining"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Traditionally and predominantly a feminine name; may cause gender confusion in some contexts
The Story of Della
Della originated as a short form of Adella or Adelaide, from the Old High German 'Adalhaid,' combining 'adal' (noble) and 'heid' (kind or type). While primarily a feminine name historically, the recent trend of gender-neutral and feminine names used for boys (like Quinn, Riley, and Avery) has expanded Della's possibilities. Singer Della Reese and other cultural figures gave the name its warm, soulful associations.
Della was a popular feminine name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today it appears occasionally as a gender-neutral or even masculine name, part of a broader cultural shift toward using traditionally feminine names across genders.
In African American naming traditions especially, names that cross traditional gender lines have a long history. Using a traditionally feminine name for a boy can be a deliberate assertion of individuality and freedom from gendered expectations.
Fun Facts
- Della Reese was a Grammy-nominated jazz and gospel singer who also starred in the TV show Touched by an Angel
- The name Adelaide (which gave us Della) was the name of the Queen consort of William IV of England
- O. Henry's famous short story 'The Gift of the Magi' features a character named Della
Della in Other Languages
French
Adèle
German
Adela
Italian
Della
Spanish
Adela
Portuguese
Adela
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #14,461
- Total SSA Count
- 7
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Del
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Della
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Della is also used as a girl name, ranked #579.
View Della as a girl name →Similar Names
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Latin origin
"The fifth; fifth-born"
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Albanian origin
"fortunate peace, good fortune and peace"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Della
What does the name Della mean?
"noble, of noble kind" (from Old High German). "bright, shining" (from Germanic). Della originated as a short form of Adella or Adelaide, from the Old High German 'Adalhaid,' combining 'adal' (noble) and 'heid' (kind or type). While primarily a feminine name historically, the recent trend of gender-neutral and feminine names used for boys (like Quinn, Riley, and Avery) has expanded Della's possibilities. Singer Della Reese and other cultural figures gave the name its warm, soulful associations.
What is the origin of the name Della?
Della has Old High German, Germanic, American, and English origins. In Old High German, it means "noble, of noble kind". In Germanic, it means "bright, shining".
Is Della a boy or girl name?
Della is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #14461. As a girl name, it is ranked #579. Della is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Della?
Della is pronounced d-EHL-uh.
How popular is the name Della?
Della is currently ranked #14461 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Della?
Common nicknames for Della include Del.
What are good middle names for Della?
Popular middle name pairings include Della James, Della Ray, Della Earl, Della Lee, Della Wayne, and Della Thomas.
What are good sibling names for Della?
Names that pair well with Della as siblings include Delta, Dale, Dell, Darla, Delia, and Deacon.
How many syllables does Della have?
Della has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Della a common or rare name?
Della is an uncommon name, ranked #14461 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Della
Della is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "noble, of noble kind" in Old High German .
Is Della a boy or girl name? Della is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #14,461 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #579. Della is more commonly used as a girl name.
Della is currently ranked #14,461 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Della has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-EHL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Della include Del. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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