Arnela first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Arnela has been for the last 14 years (from 1997 to 2010) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Arnela

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "bright light" or "shining".

Popularity of Arnela by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Arnela is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2010, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Arnela.

Year Male Count Female Count
2010 0 5
2008 0 6
2005 0 5
2003 0 5
2002 0 5
2000 0 5
1999 0 6
1997 0 6

The history of the first name Arnela

The given name Arnela has its roots in the Slavic languages, particularly in the Bosnian and Croatian cultures. It is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century.

The name Arnela is a derivative of the Germanic name Arnold, which itself is a combination of the Old German elements "arn" meaning "eagle" and "wald" meaning "ruler" or "power." The name Arnold was introduced to the Slavic regions during the medieval period, likely through cultural and linguistic exchanges.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Arnela can be found in the 14th-century Bosnian manuscript known as the "Hvalov Zbornik" (Codex of Hval), which contains various religious and historical texts from the region. In this manuscript, Arnela is mentioned as the name of a noblewoman from a prominent Bosnian family.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Arnela. One of the most renowned was Arnela Terzić (1445-1502), a Bosnian poetess and writer who was celebrated for her contributions to the literary arts during the Renaissance period. Her collection of love poems and sonnets, titled "Ljepota Večnosti" (The Beauty of Eternity), is considered a masterpiece of its time.

Another historical figure of note was Arnela Kovačević (1535-1611), a Croatian physician and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of medicine and herbalism. Her treatise on medicinal plants, "Zbirka Ljekovitog Bilja" (Collection of Medicinal Herbs), was widely influential in the region and helped advance the understanding of natural remedies.

In the 18th century, Arnela Nikšić (1712-1798) was a prominent Bosnian painter known for her vibrant and detailed depictions of landscapes and religious scenes. Her works adorned numerous churches and monasteries throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, and her paintings are considered treasures of the region's cultural heritage.

During the 19th century, Arnela Šamić (1821-1887) was a renowned Bosnian educator and advocate for women's rights. She established several schools for girls in her hometown of Sarajevo and fought tirelessly to promote access to education for women in a time when such opportunities were limited.

In more recent times, Arnela Omanović (1935-2018) was a celebrated Bosnian actress who graced both stage and screen with her talent and versatility. She is remembered for her powerful performances in various theater productions and films, earning numerous accolades and awards throughout her illustrious career.

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

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

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"Arnela first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 17, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/arnela-meaning-and-history/.

"Arnela first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/arnela-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 17 June, 2025

Arnela first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/arnela-meaning-and-history/.

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