Bell

♀ Girl

Pronounced BEL /ˈbɛl/High

Meaning: Bell is a word name — the ringing bell — and doubles as a short form of Isabel, Belle and Annabel. It exists too as an English surname, sometimes for a bell-ringer or bell-maker.Low

In 30 seconds: One clear note: Bell is a word name and a short form of Isabel (said 'BEL'). Simple, bright, and sweet.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningBell is a word name — the ringing bell — and doubles as a short form of Isabel, Belle and Annabel. It exists too as an English surname, sometimes for a bell-ringer or bell-maker.

U.S. rank (2024)#13685 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1900

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,488

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Bell is a one-beat word name with a clear, chiming sound. It has long served as a short form of Isabel, Belle and Annabel, and stands as an English surname for a bell-ringer or bell-maker. Plain, bright, and easy (said 'BEL').

It appears rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare, simple, and clear.

Did you know? Bell works three ways at once — the ringing word, a clipped Isabel, and an old English surname for a bell-ringer (said 'BEL').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Bell — Word name; short form of Isabel/Belle; English surname

Variations

BelleBellaBelle-Anne

Nicknames

BellyBee

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Bell…

Belle— the same sound, French spelling

Bella— a like soft B- name

Isabel— the longer name it clips

Annabel— another -bel classic

Explore names like Bell

By themeword-name short classic one-syllable

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Bell mean?

Bell is a word name for the ringing bell, and also a short form of Isabel, Belle and Annabel.

How do you pronounce Bell?

It's said BEL /ˈbɛl/ — one syllable.

Is Bell a boy or girl name?

Bell is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Bell?

Bell is a rare name for girls in the U.S., though Bella and Belle are far more familiar.