Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Arabela

Arabela

♀ Girl

Pronounced a-ruh-BEL-uh /ˌær.əˈbɛl.ə/Medium

Meaning: Arabela is a single-l spelling of Arabella, a medieval Scottish name of Norman origin. It is usually traced to Latin orabilis, 'yielding to prayer, entreatable', and has long been reshaped by folk-etymology toward ara bella, 'beautiful altar'. Both readings are recorded; the route of this spelling is uncertain.Low

In 30 seconds: Arabella with one l: usually traced to Latin orabilis, 'yielding to prayer' (said 'a-ruh-BEL-uh'). Routes uncertain, which we note.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowLatin, Norman
MeaningArabela is a single-l spelling of Arabella, a medieval Scottish name of Norman origin. It is usually traced to Latin orabilis, 'yielding to prayer, entreatable', and has long been reshaped by folk-etymology toward ara bella, 'beautiful altar'. Both readings are recorded; the route of this spelling is uncertain.
U.S. rank (2024)#15464 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2012
Total births (all-time)≈ 161

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201219452024

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

Arabela is a single-l form of Arabella, a name recorded in medieval Scotland and carried by Norman families. Scholars usually derive it from Latin orabilis, 'yielding to prayer'; a long-standing folk reading hears ara bella, 'beautiful altar'. Both are noted; this spelling's route is uncertain (said 'a-ruh-BEL-uh').

It is very rare for girls in the U.S. against far heavier use of Arabella. Rare, romantic, and trimmed.

Did you know? Arabella turns up in medieval Scotland and is generally traced to Latin orabilis, 'yielding to prayer' — though centuries of speakers have heard ara bella, 'beautiful altar', in it instead. Arabela is the trimmer, one-l spelling (said 'a-ruh-BEL-uh').
Overall data confidence 34%
References — Arabela — Arabella (Latin orabilis; folk ara bella) single-l spelling

Variations

ArabellaArabelleOrabel

Nicknames

AraBellaBelle

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Arabela…

Arabella— the standard spelling Arabela trims
Annabella— a like flowing -bella name
Isabela— shares the single-l Spanish styling
Mirabel— a like romantic bel- ending

Explore names like Arabela

By themeuncertainvintagerespellingromantic
By meaningBeauty

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Arabela mean?

Arabela is a spelling of Arabella, usually from Latin orabilis, 'yielding to prayer'; some read it as ara bella, 'beautiful altar'. Routes uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Arabela?

It's said a-ruh-BEL-uh /ˌær.əˈbɛl.ə/ — four syllables, stress on the third.

Is Arabela a boy or girl name?

Arabela is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Arabela?

Arabela is very rare for girls in the U.S., far behind Arabella.

💬 Ask Nia