Duella
A feminine name derived from the Latin word "duellum" meaning "war" or "combat."
Name Census estimates that about 2 living Americans carry the first name Duella. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Duella today is around 110 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Duella births was 1898 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Duella. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Duella is about 110 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Duellas were born before 1926.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Duella. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
2
~ 1 in 171,377,169 Americans
Peak year
1898
5 babies that year
Average age
110
years old
1939 SSA rank
#4,419
Tracked since 1898
Popularity
Duella: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Duella from the 1890s through to the 1930s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1930s, with 10 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Duella by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Duella during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Duella
The given name Duella is a feminine name with origins that can be traced back to the Italian language. It is derived from the Italian word "duello," which means "duel" or "combat." The name likely originated in the late medieval or Renaissance period, when duels were a common practice among nobility and aristocracy.
In its earliest usage, Duella may have been given to girls born into families of warriors, knights, or those involved in military pursuits. The name could have symbolized strength, valor, and a fighting spirit. Alternatively, it might have been bestowed upon girls born during times of conflict or war.
While there are no known historical references to the name Duella in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it's possible that the name was used sporadically throughout the centuries in various regions of Italy. However, records of its earliest usage are scarce.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Duella was Duella Gambara (1509-1565), an Italian noblewoman and poet from Brescia. She was known for her literary works and her involvement in intellectual circles during the Renaissance period.
Another notable figure was Duella de' Nobili (1550-1610), an Italian painter and engraver from Forlì. She was one of the few female artists of her time and is recognized for her religious paintings and portraits.
In the late 16th century, there was Duella Caraffa (1571-1636), a member of the noble Caraffa family from Naples. She was known for her charitable works and her involvement in the foundation of a convent.
In the 17th century, Duella Borghese (1622-1688) was an Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts. She was a member of the influential Borghese family and played a significant role in the cultural life of Rome during her time.
Another historical figure with the name Duella was Duella Spinola (1670-1748), a Genoese noblewoman and philanthropist. She was known for her charitable works and her support of education and cultural institutions in Genoa.
These are a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Duella. While the name may have been relatively uncommon, it has been carried by women from various Italian regions, often from noble or aristocratic backgrounds, reflecting its origin as a name associated with strength, combat, and valor.
People
Duella + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Duella as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with D
Other first names starting with D with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Duella: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Duella?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Duella going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 171,377,169 US residents.
Is Duella a common name?
We classify Duella as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 20 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Duella most popular?
The single biggest year for Duella was 1898, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Duella is about 110 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Duella in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Duella a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Duella in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Duella still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Duella in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Duella can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Duella?
Our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers how many people have the name Duella at a glance, with the living-bearer count up front.