Lovella
A feminine name of Latin origin meaning "little lover" or "lovable".
Name Census estimates that about 734 living Americans carry the first name Lovella. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Lovella today is around 42 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Lovella births was 1920 (39 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Lovella. 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.
People living today
734
~ 1 in 466,968 Americans
Peak year
1920
39 babies that year
Average age
42
years old
2024 SSA rank
#4,078
Tracked since 1888
Popularity
Lovella: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Lovella from the 1880s through to the 2020s, spanning 15 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 284 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1920s peak, Lovella remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Lovella 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 Lovella during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Lovellas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 7 states and territories. California, Oklahoma, Texas recorded the most babies named Lovella, while Washington, Missouri, Kentucky recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 8 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Lovella
The name Lovella is believed to have originated from the Latin word "lovelius," which means "lovable" or "charming." It first emerged during the Middle Ages in various European regions, particularly in Italy and Spain.
Lovella gained popularity as a given name during the Renaissance period, when the appreciation for classical Latin and Greek names became widespread among the educated classes. The name's association with love and charm made it an appealing choice for families seeking a moniker that conveyed affection and warmth.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lovella can be found in the chronicles of a noble Italian family from the 14th century. A young woman named Lovella di Firenze was noted for her beauty and philanthropic endeavors, earning her admiration among the Florentine aristocracy.
In the realm of literature, the name Lovella appears in several Renaissance-era plays and poems, often as a symbol of romantic love or feminine grace. One notable example is the character Lovella in the 16th-century Italian play "La Calandra" by Cardinal Bibbiena.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Lovella. Lovella Ames (1832-1917) was an American author and educator who wrote extensively on women's rights and social reform. Lovella Hogue (1882-1942) was a pioneering American aviator and one of the first women to obtain a pilot's license in the early 20th century.
Another prominent figure was Lovella Parsons (1890-1965), an influential American gossip columnist and journalist who covered the golden age of Hollywood. Her nationally syndicated column, "Louella Parsons' Good News," was widely read and influential in shaping public perceptions of the entertainment industry.
In the field of music, Lovella Jones (1923-2014) was an American jazz singer and actress who performed with legendary musicians such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Her soulful vocals and stage presence earned her critical acclaim throughout her career.
Lovella Briscoe (1941-2010) was a notable African American artist and sculptor known for her intricate and expressive works that celebrated the African diaspora and explored themes of identity and cultural heritage.
While the name Lovella has waxed and waned in popularity over the centuries, its enduring charm and historical significance have ensured its continued use as a given name throughout various cultures and regions.
People
Lovella + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Lovella as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with L
Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Lovella: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Lovella?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 734 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Lovella 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 466,968 US residents.
Is Lovella a common name?
We classify Lovella as "Very Rare". It ranks above 87.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,703 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Lovella most popular?
The single biggest year for Lovella was 1920, when 39 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Lovella is about 42 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Lovella a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Lovella 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.
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.