Nella

Meaning: Possibly horn
Origin: Latin — Often a short form of Cornelia, sometimes of Nell

Girl's name · #2852 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Nella belongs to an older America first — it reached #387 back in 1881 — yet it still appears in today's records at #2852. About 4,400 girls have carried it since 1880.

Across the states

See where Nella is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 2 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Nella ranks in other countries and regions.

#49 in Finland (Finnish-sp.) (2025) · #93 in Czechia (2025) · #448 in Poland (2025) · #555 in Austria (2025) · #782 in Sweden (2025) · #807 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,141 in Canada (2025) · #1,289 in Belgium (2025) · #1,349 in Switzerland (2025) · #1,724 in France (2025) · #4,241 in Italy (2024) · #631 in Ireland (2024) and 5 more.

Famous Nellas

Nella Larsen — American novelist (1891–1964)
Nella Bergen — American singer (1873–1919)
Nella Walker — American actress (1886–1971)
Nella Martinetti — Swiss singer (1946–2011)
Nella Last — British diarist (1889–1968)

In stories & tradition

Nella Northrup — The Fascinating Widow (musical stage work)

What Nellas become

Among 69 notable people named Nella:

Entertainers appear 2.15× more often than among typical names — e.g. Nella Walker, American actress (1886–1971).

Similar names: Cornelia · Adella · Nelly · Lela · Lennie · Zella

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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