Find out how popular the first name Arabelle has been for the last 29 years (from 1996 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Arabelle by gender

Based on the last 29 years of data, Arabelle is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 89 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Arabelle.

The history of the first name Arabelle

The name Arabelle finds its origins in the French language and culture, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 17th century. It is derived from the Latin word "arabilis," which means "admirable" or "praiseworthy." The name is a combination of the French prefix "ara," meaning "altar" or "prayer," and the suffix "belle," meaning "beautiful."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Arabelle can be found in the 1685 French novel "La Princesse de Clèves" by Madame de La Fayette, where a minor character bears this name. However, it is unclear whether the author coined the name or if it was already in use at the time.

In the 18th century, Arabelle gained popularity among the French aristocracy, with several notable figures bearing the name. One such individual was Arabelle de Rohan (1701-1768), a French noblewoman and courtier during the reign of Louis XV.

As the name spread across Europe, it also found its way into literature and historical records. The English author Samuel Richardson used the name Arabelle for a character in his 1748 novel "Clarissa, or, The History of a Young Lady." Additionally, Arabelle Mansfield (1834-1914) was an American educator and activist who played a significant role in the establishment of women's colleges in the United States.

In the 20th century, the name Arabelle experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the United States. Notable bearers of the name include Arabelle Huntington (1850-1924), an American philanthropist and art collector, and Arabelle Bianca Jasper (1930-2015), a British actress and dancer who appeared in several films and television shows.

Another prominent figure with the name Arabelle was Arabelle Pye (1876-1957), an Australian artist and educator known for her landscape paintings and contributions to the development of art education in Victoria.

While the name Arabelle has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has maintained a charming and distinctive quality, often associated with elegance, grace, and admiration.

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 Arabelle was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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