A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Della since 1880
Babies named Della per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Della's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5,048 |
| 1890s | 6,410 |
| 1900s | 5,958 |
| 1910s | 9,450 |
| 1920s | 10,366 |
| 1930s | 7,950 |
| 1940s | 6,358 |
| 1950s | 6,038 |
| 1960s | 4,583 |
| 1970s | 1,804 |
| 1980s | 814 |
| 1990s | 512 |
| 2000s | 719 |
| 2010s | 2,156 |
| 2020s | 2,644 |
Meaning & origin
Della is a vintage feminine name that saw its highest usage in the 1880s, ranking 563rd in the U.S. in 2025 with a 1-in-3016 frequency. Its peak year was 1881, and after decades of decline, it has been rising in popularity since 1998. The name is most common in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana, reflecting its historical appeal in the upper Midwest. Della's etymology is uncertain; it likely originated as a short form of Delia or Adela. While not as common as similar retro names like Ella or Bella, Della offers a distinctive yet familiar choice. Its revival suggests a growing appreciation for names from the late 19th century.
Della likely emerged in the 19th century as a diminutive of Delia (from Greek Delos, an epithet of Artemis) or of Adela (a Germanic name meaning 'noble'). It may also be a short form of longer names like Delphine or Deliverance. The name gained popularity in the late 1800s but is now less common.
Where Della 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.
“Della” around the world
Where Della lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Dell
Sibling names for Della
Names that share Della's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Nellie, Mae, Cora, Etta, Lula, Dessie, Lessie, Lura, Ardelia, Carma, Creola, Loma, Nonie, Rilla, Vella, Vennie, Zula, Ardena, Buna, Dallie, Deetta, Dorsie, Fronia, Lella, Lular, Lulla, Metta, Nealie, Shella, Suella, Tedra, Twilla, Vinie, Delmi, Lavita, Maydell, Mella, Mirtie, Trella, Verta, Dama, Arnella, Delona, Delsa, Harla, Marthella, Virtie
Brothers: Levi, Otis, Roy, Earl, Hugh, Darl, Delmar, Arvil, Cardell, Lyndell, Verdell, Dade, Dannon, Dolton, Lafe, Danta, Levell, Mandell, Mingo, Rudell, Wendal, Hulan, Delmo, Delvis, Dyrell, Neldon, Savoy
