Annabella is a feminine given name derived from the Latin name Annabella, which combines the name Anna and the word "bella" meaning beautiful. It is a romantic name that has been in use since the Middle Ages.

The name Anna itself has Hebrew origins, coming from the Hebrew name Hannah which means "grace" or "favor." The name Hannah appears in the Old Testament as the mother of the prophet Samuel. It became more widely used in Europe after being Latinized to Anna.

The name Annabella gained popularity during the Renaissance era in Italy. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Annabella Drummond (1350-1401), Queen of Scotland as the wife of King Robert III. She was a powerful political figure who acted as regent for her son King James I.

In English literature, one of the most famous references to the name is the character Annabella in John Ford's 1633 tragic play 'Tis Pity She's a Whore. The name also appears in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, though as a minor character.

Other notable historical figures named Annabella include Annabella Milbanke (1792-1860), an English aristocrat who married the poet Lord Byron in 1815. Their tumultuous marriage ended in a bitter separation after just one year.

In the 19th century, Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini wrote the opera Annabella di Tolomei, first performed in 1836. The name was fairly popular among English and Italian nobility during this era.

Other bearers of the name include Annabella Drummond (1713-1789), a Scottish aristocrat, and Annabella Milbanke (1856-1923), an English botanical artist and cousin of Lord Byron's wife.