Arabela

Meaning & origin

Arabela is a rare and melodic name that first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1945, though it has never broken into common use. It reached its highest rank of 8,362 in 2025, with a frequency of 1 in 133,939 births. Its peak popularity occurred in 2012, suggesting a modest spike of interest likely influenced by similar-sounding names like Isabella and Arabella. The name has remained stable in recent years, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar-sounding alternative to the more popular Arabella. While no top states are recorded for this name, its usage appears scattered across the country. The name's etymology is debated, but its elegant, romantic sound fits well with other elaborate Latinate feminine names.

Arabela is a variant of Arabella, a name that emerged in Scotland in the 17th century as a feminine form of the Gaelic name Arabi or as a Latinate elaboration of the Dutch name Arabella. The name Arabella itself has been linked to the Latin word orabilis meaning "yielding to prayer" or to ara meaning "altar". Arabela may also be a modern coinage influenced by names like Isabella and Annabella. It has been used in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.