A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Armella since 1899
Babies named Armella per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1926, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Armella's real moment was 1914.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 53 |
| 1910s | 214 |
| 1920s | 308 |
| 1930s | 119 |
| 1940s | 29 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 13 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 17 |
Meaning & origin
Armella is a rare feminine name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1899, enjoying modest usage during the early 20th century. Its highest rank came in 1914, during the 1910s decade, after which it fell out of common use. The name has been rising again since 2022, suggesting a nostalgic revival. Despite its rarity, Armella has a melodic, vintage charm with a meaning rooted in the Breton name Armel, blending 'bear' and 'prince.' Its revival trajectory mirrors a broader trend toward rediscovered turn-of-the-century names.
Armella is a feminine diminutive of Armel, itself a variant of Armelle, the French feminine form of the Breton name Armel (from arzh 'bear' + mael 'prince'). In English usage, Armella emerged in the late 19th century as an elaboration of the name, possibly influenced by names like Marcella or Arabella. Its popularity peaked in the 1910s, with a revival beginning in the 2020s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Army, Ella, Mella
Sibling names for Armella
Names that share Armella's style, for a brother or sister.
