A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Luella since 1880
Babies named Luella per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Luella's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,384 |
| 1890s | 2,151 |
| 1900s | 2,895 |
| 1910s | 6,648 |
| 1920s | 7,642 |
| 1930s | 4,100 |
| 1940s | 1,905 |
| 1950s | 947 |
| 1960s | 502 |
| 1970s | 212 |
| 1980s | 132 |
| 1990s | 100 |
| 2000s | 395 |
| 2010s | 1,811 |
| 2020s | 1,781 |
Meaning & origin
Luella is a late 19th-century invention that combined fashionable sounds to create a distinctly feminine name. It reached peak usage in 1881, ranking 778 with about 1 in 4,605 baby girls given the name. After falling out of favor for decades, Luella began climbing again in 1992, part of a broader revival of vintage names. The name has been most popular in states like South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, reflecting its Midwestern appeal. Today it retains a sweet, old-fashioned charm without feeling outdated, making it a strong choice for parents seeking a name with history but room for rediscovery.
Luella is a 19th-century coinage, likely formed by blending Lou (a diminutive of Louise) and Ella. It may also be interpreted as an elaborated form of Lou with the popular suffix -ella. The name enjoyed modest popularity in the United States from the 1880s through the early 1900s, then declined, but has seen a revival since the 1990s.
Where Luella 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lulu, Lou, Ella, Lue
Sibling names for Luella
Names that share Luella's style, for a brother or sister.
