Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Nella

Nella

♀ Girl

Pronounced NEHL-la /ˈnΙ›l.la/Medium

Meaning: FlowerMedium

In 30 seconds: Nella is an Italian name meaning 'flower', a short form drawn from longer names ending in -nella.
πŸ’• Browse more names
Origin MediumItalian
MeaningFlower
U.S. rank (2024)#2785 β†— Rising
2024 U.S. births61 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1927
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 4,314

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 202218802024

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

History & Origin

Nella is an Italian girl's name read as 'flower', typically a clipped ending lifted from fuller names such as those in the Antonia group. It stands on its own as a soft, two-syllable name. The writer Nella Larsen is among its bearers.

Its variations point back to that Antonia family, including Antonela, Antonija and Antica, where Nella lives as the tail end. On its own it feels gentle and rounded.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Nella is 'flower', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Nella β€” etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration β€” 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

AntoniaAntoniyaAntonelaAntonijaAntica

Nicknames

β€”

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Nella Larsen (1891–1964)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Nella…

Antonelaβ€” a fuller variation that Nella can be clipped from
Antoniaβ€” the longer Italian name standing behind this short form
Ellaβ€” shares the same soft -ella ending and rhythm

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nella mean?

Nella is usually explained as meaning 'flower' and is most often linked with Italian tradition.

How do you pronounce Nella?

It's commonly said NEHL-la /ˈnΙ›l.la/.

Is Nella a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Nella?

In 2024, Nella ranked #2785 in the U.S. for girls, with 61 births recorded.