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Novella

♀ Girl

Pronounced noh-VEL-ah /noʊˈvɛl.ə/High

Meaning: New; a short novel or tale; Italian feminine from Latin novellus, 'new, young'High

In 30 seconds: A name that means 'new' and 'a story' at once: Novella is Italian for both — a daughter who is, by definition, a fresh tale beginning. Bookish, vintage, and brand-new sounding.

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Origin HighItalian, Latin

MeaningNew; a short novel or tale; Italian feminine from Latin novellus, 'new, young'

U.S. rank (2025)#2559 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births69 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1923

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,272

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

Novella is Italian, from Latin novellus, 'new, young' — the same word that names the short-story form. Medieval Italy used it as a girls' name (the jurist Novella d'Andrea reportedly lectured at Bologna behind a curtain), and it dotted early American records before fading.

As Stella and Luella revive, Novella sits perfectly placed — vintage, literary, and meaning newness itself. Currently rare, with Nova as a ready nickname.

Did you know? Boccaccio's Decameron — a hundred tales told over ten days — gave the world the novella as a literary form; the word for the story and the name for a child are one.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Novella — etymology

Variations

NovelaNovellia

Nicknames

NovaEllaNell

Famous Bearers

★Novella Nelson (1939-2017)
American stage and film actress and singer

If you like Novella…

Nova— the 'new' star name nested in it

Stella— a fellow vintage -ella revival

Luella— the companion antique -ella name

Novalee— another novel-rooted modern pick

Explore names like Novella

By themevintage italian literary

By meaningYouth

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Novella mean?

Novella is Italian for 'new' and 'a short story', from Latin novellus, 'new, young'.

How do you pronounce Novella?

It's said noh-VEL-ah /noʊˈvɛl.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Novella a boy or girl name?

Novella is a girl's name.

How popular is Novella?

Novella is a rare vintage name in the U.S., well placed for revival.