Declining since 2013, #2,064 for girls today.
Popularity of Annabel since 1880
Babies named Annabel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 127 |
| 1890s | 217 |
| 1900s | 275 |
| 1910s | 922 |
| 1920s | 1,087 |
| 1930s | 429 |
| 1940s | 243 |
| 1950s | 261 |
| 1960s | 374 |
| 1970s | 403 |
| 1980s | 690 |
| 1990s | 1,332 |
| 2000s | 3,131 |
| 2010s | 4,657 |
| 2020s | 826 |
Meaning & origin
Annabel has been in consistent but modest use in the United States since at least 1880. Its peak came in 2014, when it ranked highest, and since 2013 the name has shown a gentle decline in popularity. In 2025, approximately 1 in 17,662 girls were named Annabel, reflecting its status as a rare but recognizable choice. The name is most common in Illinois, New York, and California. Despite the decline, Annabel retains a classic feel, balancing the familiar Anna with the stylish Belle suffix, and appeals to parents seeking a name with literary echoes and Scottish heritage.
Annabel is a Scottish and English name that likely originated as a variant of the Latin Amabilis ('lovable'), possibly influenced by the names Anna and Belle. It has been in use since the Middle Ages, notably appearing as Annabel in Scottish records. The name gained literary fame through Edgar Allan Poe's 1845 poem 'Annabel Lee', though the connection is not certain as the poem's title may have been a different spelling.
Where Annabel is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Annabel” around the world
Where Annabel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Anna, Annie, Belle, Bel
Sibling names for Annabel
Names that share Annabel's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Annabel
Names whose popularity has moved with Annabel's over the last 50 years.
