Della

Pronunciation: [ d-EHL-uh ]

Girl Name #579 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A golden-era gem making a graceful comeback

English American Italian

Vintage Playful Gentle Classic Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"noble, of noble birth"

Origin: Germanic

Language: English

"bright, shining"

Origin: Old High German

Language: German

The Story of Della

Della is primarily a diminutive of Adela or Adele, derived from the Germanic 'adal' meaning noble or of noble birth. It can also stand independently as a variant of the Italian 'della' meaning 'of the,' suggesting a place or characteristic. In the American South, Della was a popular standalone name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, carried by many strong women of the era.

Della peaked in early 20th-century America and is now experiencing a modern revival as part of the broader trend for soft vintage names ending in 'a.' It sits in sweet company with Vera, Iris, Mabel, and Pearl — names that feel both old-fashioned and freshly wearable. Singer Della Reese and Della Street from Perry Mason kept the name in cultural memory.

Della Street, Perry Mason's loyal secretary, made the name synonymous with sharp, capable professionalism in mid-20th century American pop culture. In O. Henry's famous story 'The Gift of the Magi,' Della is the devoted young wife who sacrifices her hair for love — a touching portrait that gives the name gentle literary resonance.

Fun Facts

Della is the name of the loving heroine in O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi' (1905)
Della Reese was a pioneering Black actress and gospel-pop singer who starred in Touched by an Angel
The name has resurged sharply since 2015 as part of a vintage revival alongside names like Vera and Mabel

Della in Other Languages

French Adèle

German Adela

Italian Della

Spanish Adela

Famous People Named Della

Della Reese

Musician

1931

American gospel and pop singer and actress, best known for the TV series Touched by an Angel

Della Street Fictional

Other

Perry Mason's brilliant legal secretary in the long-running TV series, embodiment of capable, sharp professionalism

Della (O. Henry) Fictional

Other

The devoted young wife in O. Henry's beloved Christmas story 'The Gift of the Magi' (1905)

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #579
Total SSA Count: 518
Cultural Origins: English American Italian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Dell Dee

Pairs Well With

Della Rose Della June Della Mae Della Pearl Della Grace Della Jean Della Claire

Sibling Names

Vera Mabel Walter Ralph Pearl Bea Clifford

Also a Boy Name

Della is also used as a boy name, ranked #14461.

View Della as a boy name →

Similar Names

Emma Ella Stella Ellen Etta Addie Belle Estella

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Della

What does the name Della mean?

"noble, of noble birth" (from Germanic). "bright, shining" (from Old High German). Della is primarily a diminutive of Adela or Adele, derived from the Germanic 'adal' meaning noble or of noble birth. It can also stand independently as a variant of the Italian 'della' meaning 'of the,' suggesting a place or characteristic. In the American South, Della was a popular standalone name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, carried by many strong women of the era.

What is the origin of the name Della?

Della has Germanic, Old High German, English, American, and Italian origins. In Germanic, it means "noble, of noble birth". In Old High German, it means "bright, shining".

Is Della a boy or girl name?

Della is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #579. As a boy name, it is ranked #14461. 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 #579 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Della?

Common nicknames for Della include Dell and Dee.

What are good middle names for Della?

Popular middle name pairings include Della Rose, Della June, Della Mae, Della Pearl, Della Grace, Della Jean, and Della Claire.

What are good sibling names for Della?

Names that pair well with Della as siblings include Vera, Mabel, Walter, Ralph, Pearl, Bea, and Clifford.

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 moderately common, ranked #579 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Della

Della is a girl name with English, American, and Italian origins . The name means "noble, of noble birth" in Germanic .

Is Della a boy or girl name? Della is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #579 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #14,461. Della is more commonly used as a girl name.

Della is currently ranked #579 in popularity for girl 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 Dell and Dee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.