Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Mabel
Mabel
How to Pronounce Mabel
Pronounced MAY-bul /ΛmeΙͺbΙl/High
Meaning: Lovable, dearHigh
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Mabel is a medieval English contraction of Amabel, itself derived from the Latin amabilis meaning 'lovable.' The name was common in Norman England after the Conquest and appears in 12th- and 13th-century records. It gradually contracted from Amabel through Mabilia to Mabel.
Mabel was one of the most popular girls' names in the English-speaking world in the late 19th century, reaching the U.S. top 10. It declined sharply in the mid-20th century but has experienced a vigorous revival since the 2010s, returning to the top 500 in the U.S. and top 100 in the U.K. and Australia.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- β
Mabel Normand (1892β1930)American silent-film actress and comedienne, one of the biggest stars of the silent era.
If you like Mabelβ¦
Explore names like Mabel
Frequently Asked
What does the name Mabel mean?
Mabel is a medieval contraction of Amabel, derived from Latin amabilis meaning 'lovable' or 'dear.'
How do you pronounce Mabel?
It is said MAY-bul /ΛmeΙͺbΙl/ β two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Mabel a boy or girl name?
Mabel is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.
How popular is Mabel?
Mabel has been strongly reviving and ranked in the U.S. top 300 for girls in 2025.