"fair, lovely"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Bella
Pronunciation: [ b-EHL-uh ]
Does Bella flow with your last name?
Simply beautiful, a name that needs no translation
Italian
Spanish
English
French
Romantic
Elegant
Classic
Gentle
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Bella
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"beautiful"
Origin: Italian
Language: Italian
"vow to God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"beautiful"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Bella Swan from the Twilight saga (2005-2008), which may feel dated for some parents
The Story of Bella
Bella is the Italian and Spanish word for 'beautiful,' derived from the Latin 'bellus' (pretty, handsome, charming). It functions both as a standalone name and as a diminutive of longer names like Isabella, Arabella, Mirabella, and Annabella. The word 'bello/bella' in Italian is one of the first adjectives learned by anyone studying the language, cementing its universal appeal.
Bella exploded in popularity following the 2005 publication of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga, where protagonist Isabella 'Bella' Swan became one of the most discussed fictional heroines of the decade. The name hit the US top 10 in the late 2000s and has remained popular.
In Italian culture, 'bella' is an everyday term of endearment and appreciation, making this name feel inherently warm and affectionate. The famous phrase 'Ciao bella!' exemplifies this. The name also features in opera and Italian poetry, giving it deep artistic roots.
Historical Record
Bella first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 76,786 babies have been named Bella in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Bella is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #109 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- 'Bella' means 'beautiful' in Italian and is one of the most internationally recognized words across all languages
- Bella Swan from Twilight drove the name into the US top 10, one of the clearest examples of fiction influencing naming trends
- In Italian, 'bella figura' (making a beautiful impression) is a deeply embedded cultural concept
Bella in Other Languages
Greek
Μπέλα
French
Belle
Italian
Bella
Spanish
Bella
Portuguese
Bela
Popularity Over Time
#109
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Bella
B
Bella Ramsey
Actor
2003
British actress celebrated for playing Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones and Ellie in the acclaimed HBO series The Last ...
British actress celebrated for playing Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones and Ellie in the acclaimed HBO series The Last of Us
B
Bella Thorne
Actor
1997
American actress who began as a Disney Channel star before expanding to film and music
B
Bella Hadid
Business
1996
American model ranked among the highest-paid models in the world, known for her runway and editorial work
B
Bella Swan Fictional
Other
Fictional protagonist of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga, whose story of supernatural romance defined a generation of re...
Fictional protagonist of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga, whose story of supernatural romance defined a generation of readers
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Compare Bella with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #109
- Total SSA Count
- 2,469
- Cultural Origins
- Italian Spanish English French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Bell
Belle
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Bella
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Bella is also used as a boy name, ranked #32935.
View Bella as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Italian)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bella
What does the name Bella mean?
"fair, lovely" (from Latin). "beautiful" (from Italian). "vow to God" (from Hebrew). "beautiful" (from Latin). Bella is the Italian and Spanish word for 'beautiful,' derived from the Latin 'bellus' (pretty, handsome, charming). It functions both as a standalone name and as a diminutive of longer names like Isabella, Arabella, Mirabella, and Annabella. The word 'bello/bella' in Italian is one of the first adjectives learned by anyone studying the language, cementing its universal appeal.
What is the origin of the name Bella?
Bella has Latin, Italian, Hebrew, Spanish, English, and French origins. In Latin, it means "fair, lovely". In Italian, it means "beautiful". In Hebrew, it means "vow to God". In Latin, it means "beautiful".
Is Bella a boy or girl name?
Bella is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #109. As a boy name, it is ranked #32935. Bella is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Bella?
Bella is pronounced b-EHL-uh.
How popular is the name Bella?
Bella is currently ranked #109 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Bella?
Common nicknames for Bella include Bell and Belle.
What are good middle names for Bella?
Popular middle name pairings include Bella Grace, Bella Rose, Bella Marie, Bella Luna, Bella Sofia, Bella Jade, and Bella Hope.
What are good sibling names for Bella?
Names that pair well with Bella as siblings include Stella, Luna, Romeo, Leonardo, Aria, Enzo, and Gemma.
How many syllables does Bella have?
Bella has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Bella a common or rare name?
Bella is a popular name, ranked #109 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Bella?
About the Name Bella
Bella is a girl name with Italian, Spanish, English, and French origins . The name means "fair, lovely" in Latin .
Is Bella a boy or girl name? Bella is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #109 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #32,935. Bella is more commonly used as a girl name.
Bella is currently ranked #109 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Bella has 2 syllables and is pronounced b-EHL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Bella include Bell and Belle. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Bella include Bellamy, Belle, Bellarose, Bellami, Bellatrix . 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