Sabelle first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Sabelle has been for the last 17 years (from 2001 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Sabelle

A feminine name of French origin meaning "one who is wished for".

Popularity of Sabelle by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Sabelle is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Sabelle.

Year Male Count Female Count
2017 0 5
2013 0 5
2011 0 6
2001 0 6

The history of the first name Sabelle

The given name Sabelle finds its origins in the Latin language, emerging during the classical era of ancient Rome. It is derived from the Latin word "sabellus," which was used to refer to the Sabine people, an Italic tribe that inhabited the central Apennine region of Italy. The name is believed to have been adopted as a personal name among the Roman nobility who sought to establish connections with the esteemed Sabine heritage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sabelle can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Livy, who documented the legendary tale of the Rape of the Sabine Women. This event, which occurred around the 8th century BCE, involved the abduction of Sabine women by the founder of Rome, Romulus, and his followers. While the historical accuracy of this account is debated, it nonetheless highlights the significance of the Sabine people in the foundation myths of ancient Rome.

Throughout the centuries, the name Sabelle has been borne by several notable individuals. One of the earliest recorded was Sabelle of Caesarea, a Christian martyr who lived in the 4th century CE and was executed during the Diocletian persecution for her unwavering faith. Another prominent figure was Sabelle de Baux, a 12th-century noblewoman from Provence, France, who played a crucial role in the negotiation of a peace treaty between the County of Provence and the Kingdom of Aragon.

In the literary realm, the name Sabelle gained recognition through the works of the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. In his epic poem "The Divine Comedy," Dante introduces a character named Sabelle, who represents the virtue of temperance. This literary reference contributed to the enduring popularity of the name throughout the Renaissance period and beyond.

During the Middle Ages, Sabelle de Bavière (1360-1395) was a notable figure who served as the Queen consort of France. Her marriage to King Charles VI in 1385 established an alliance between the French and Bavarian royal houses, highlighting the international reach of the name Sabelle.

In more recent history, the name Sabelle has been borne by several accomplished individuals, including Sabelle Fenn (1884-1963), a British economist and academic who contributed significantly to the field of labor economics, and Sabelle Sankey (1926-1988), an Australian artist renowned for her landscape paintings and portraiture.

The enduring popularity and historical significance of the name Sabelle can be attributed to its rich cultural heritage, literary connections, and the notable individuals who have carried this moniker throughout the ages.

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

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

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"Sabelle first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 9, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/sabelle-meaning-and-history/.

"Sabelle first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/sabelle-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 9 July, 2025

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

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