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Home › Baby Names Directory › Annabel

Annabel

♀ Girl

Pronounced AN-uh-bel /ˈæn.ə.bɛl/Medium

Meaning: Lovable; later read as 'grace' plus 'beautiful'Medium

In 30 seconds: Annabel began with the sense 'lovable' and was later reread as combining 'grace' and 'beautiful'.
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Origin MediumEnglish, Scottish
MeaningLovable; later read as 'grace' plus 'beautiful'
U.S. rank (2025)#2065 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births91 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2014
Total births (all-time)≈ 14,971

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201418802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

The name's earliest sense points to 'lovable'. Over time speakers reinterpreted it as a blend of an Anna element for 'grace' and a 'belle' element for 'beautiful', a reading the spelling invites. Both meanings cling to the name in English use.

Its three soft syllables and the -bel ending tie it to a whole cluster of names like Annabelle and Arabella, each ringing a small change on the same gentle sound.

Did you know? Annabel is a spelling variant of Amabel, so it keeps the same core meaning of 'origin uncertain' while changing the visual style.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Annabel — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

AnabellaAnabelleAnnabellaAnnabelleArabella

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Annabel Croft (1966-)
    British former professional tennis player and television presenter
  • ★Annabel Scholey (1983-)
    English actress known for Being Human and The Sixth Commandment
  • ★Annabel Goldie (1950-)
    Scottish Conservative politician and former party leader

If you like Annabel…

Annabelle— A fuller spelling of Annabel with the same 'lovable' core.
Annabella— An -a ending form within the same family.
Anabelle— A single-n spelling of the same name.
Arabella— A close relative sharing the soft -bella ending and feel.
Anabella— Another spelling variant carrying the same sound.

Explore names like Annabel

By themeenglishdutch
By meaningGraceBeauty

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Annabel mean?

Annabel is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Annabel?

It's commonly said AN-uh-bel /ˈæn.ə.bɛl/.

Is Annabel a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Annabel is used as a girl name.

How popular is Annabel?

In 2024, Annabel ranked #1601 in the U.S. for girls, with 130 births recorded.

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