Holding steady, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Ardella since 1880
Babies named Ardella per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ardella's real moment was 1902.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 64 |
| 1890s | 113 |
| 1900s | 227 |
| 1910s | 515 |
| 1920s | 907 |
| 1930s | 705 |
| 1940s | 387 |
| 1950s | 295 |
| 1960s | 144 |
| 1970s | 52 |
| 1980s | 37 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 7 |
| 2020s | 25 |
Meaning & origin
Ardella is a vintage name that saw its peak popularity in the early 1900s, with its highest rank of 10,917 occurring in 1902. After a steady decline, it has remained extremely rare in recent years, with a 1 in 200,908 incidence as of 2025. The name has not appeared among the top states for newborn girls in recent decades, suggesting a scattered, nostalgic usage. Its stable trajectory indicates it has not experienced a revival, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an early 20th-century rarity. While its etymology is debated, Ardella carries the charm of old-fashioned femininity without heavy cultural or religious baggage.
Ardella likely emerged in the late 19th century as a feminine elaboration of Ardell, a name of uncertain origin. It may be a variant of Ardelle, which could trace back to the Irish Ardál, a compound of ard 'high' and gal 'valor,' but this connection is speculative. The name gained modest popularity in the United States in the early 1900s, particularly around its peak year of 1902, but has since become rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ardie, Della, Ard
Sibling names for Ardella
Names that share Ardella's style, for a brother or sister.
