Holding steady, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Odella since 1897
Babies named Odella per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Odella's real moment was 1905.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 10 |
| 1900s | 81 |
| 1910s | 183 |
| 1920s | 211 |
| 1930s | 147 |
| 1940s | 81 |
| 1950s | 59 |
| 1960s | 21 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 30 |
Meaning & origin
Odella is a rare feminine name with roots in late 19th-century English naming conventions. First recorded in 1897, it reached its peak popularity in 1905, a time when elaborate feminine elaborations of surnames were fashionable. In 2025, the name ranked 11,932, given to approximately 1 in every 229,610 newborn girls. Its trajectory has remained stable, showing neither a dramatic decline nor a recent revival. While not associated with any particular U.S. state or cultural group, Odella carries an old-fashioned charm that may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar-sounding name. Its uncertain etymology adds to its mystique, with possible connections to the Old English Odell or the noble Adela.
Odella likely emerged in the late 19th century as a feminine elaboration of Odell or a variant of Adela. The name Odell is derived from the Old English personal name Oda or Wada, or from a place name composed of 'wad' (ford) and 'hyll' (hill). Adela, a Germanic name meaning 'noble,' was brought to England by the Normans. Odella saw modest use in the early 1900s but has remained rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Odie, Della, Ellie
Sibling names for Odella
Names that share Odella's style, for a brother or sister.
