The name Annabell has its origins in the Latin language and can be traced back to the late Roman period. It is a combination of the Latin words "anna", meaning grace or favor, and "bella", meaning beautiful. The name essentially translates to "beautiful grace" or "graceful beauty".

In its earliest form, the name was spelled as "Annabella" and was used by Roman families during the decline of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. Historical records from this period show the name being given to daughters of wealthy Roman families, possibly as a way to bestow the blessings of grace and beauty upon them.

As the Roman Empire fell and the Dark Ages began, the name Annabella fell out of popular use for several centuries. It was not until the High Middle Ages, around the 12th century, that the name resurfaced in various parts of Europe, with slight variations in spelling such as "Annabell" and "Annabelle".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Annabell can be found in the chronicles of the Scottish wars of independence in the late 13th century. Annabell Macdonald was a Scottish noblewoman who played a crucial role in supporting Robert the Bruce's rebellion against English rule.

During the Renaissance period, the name Annabell gained popularity among the aristocratic classes across Europe. Annabell Leigh was an English poet and the muse of the renowned Romantic poet, Lord Byron, who penned several works dedicated to her in the early 19th century. Another notable figure was Annabell Radcliffe, an English author and pioneer of the Gothic novel genre, born in 1764.

In the 19th century, the name Annabell became more widely used across various social classes. Annabell Lee Poe was the beloved wife of the famous American writer, Edgar Allan Poe, and the subject of his famous poem "Annabel Lee", published in 1849.

Another historical figure was Annabell Buchanan, an American author and activist born in 1839, who campaigned for women's rights and the abolition of slavery. In the field of music, Annabell Whitford was a renowned American operatic soprano who performed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.