Find out how popular the first name Arabela has been for the last 20 years (from 2005 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Arabela by gender

Based on the last 20 years of data, Arabela is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Arabela.

The history of the first name Arabela

The name Arabela is of Spanish origin, derived from the Arabic name Arabella. It can be traced back to the 12th century during the era of Moorish rule in Spain. The name is composed of two parts - "Arab" meaning an Arab person, and "bela" which means beautiful or fair in Spanish.

During the Middle Ages, the name Arabela became popular among Spanish nobility as a way to honor their Moorish heritage and the influence of Arabic culture. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name was in the 13th century, when it was given to a daughter of the noble House of Lara in Castile.

In the 14th century, the name gained further prominence when it was borne by Arabela de Almazán, a noblewoman from Aragon who was known for her beauty and intelligence. She served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen María de Luna and was a patron of the arts and literature.

Another notable figure named Arabela was Arabela Fermosa, a 15th-century Spanish poet and courtier who was renowned for her lyrical compositions and her skill in the art of love poetry. Her works were widely circulated among the literary circles of her time.

In the 16th century, the name Arabela gained popularity in England, particularly after the publication of Sir Philip Sidney's pastoral romance "Arcadia" in 1590, in which one of the main characters is named Arabela. This literary reference helped to popularize the name among the English nobility.

One of the most famous bearers of the name Arabela in English history was Arabela Stuart (1575-1615), the daughter of Charles Stuart, Earl of Lennox. She was a claimant to the English throne and was imprisoned for most of her life due to her involvement in political intrigues against King James I.

Throughout the centuries, the name Arabela has been borne by various notable individuals across different cultures and regions. For example, Arabela Huntington (1850-1924) was an American philanthropist and socialite who founded the Huntington Library and Art Gallery in Los Angeles. Arabela Zamoyska (1856-1939) was a Polish noblewoman and philanthropist who established several hospitals and schools in her native country.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Arabela was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Arabela, please contact us.

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