Declining since 2017, #3,517 for girls today.
Popularity of Joella since 1880
Babies named Joella per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Joella's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 11 |
| 1890s | 8 |
| 1900s | 27 |
| 1910s | 112 |
| 1920s | 273 |
| 1930s | 377 |
| 1940s | 477 |
| 1950s | 447 |
| 1960s | 431 |
| 1970s | 310 |
| 1980s | 284 |
| 1990s | 185 |
| 2000s | 314 |
| 2010s | 617 |
| 2020s | 331 |
Meaning & origin
Joella is a rare feminine form of the biblical Joel, first recorded in the United States in 1880, its peak year. The name was given to just a handful of girls annually, but it has maintained a steady, low-level presence. Since 2017, its usage has been declining, though it remains a distinctive choice. With a 1-in-37,378 occurrence rate in 2025, Joella is far from common, appealing to parents seeking a vintage, religiously rooted name with a soft, melodic sound.
Joella is widely considered a feminine variant of the Hebrew name Joel, meaning 'Yahweh is God' or 'God is willing.' The name Joel appears in the Bible as a prophet. Joella likely emerged in the 19th century as an elaborated feminine form, combining the element 'Jo' with the popular feminine suffix '-ella.' Though rare, it has been used in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States.
“Joella” around the world
Where Joella 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: Jo, Ellie, Joey
Sibling names for Joella
Names that share Joella's style, for a brother or sister.
