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Home › Baby Names Directory › Pella

Pella

♀ Girl

Pronounced PEL-uh /ˈpɛl.ə/High

Meaning: Pella is the name of the ancient capital of Macedon, birthplace of Alexander the Great, and of a town in Iowa founded by Dutch settlers. As a modern given name it may also be a short form of names like Isabella or Estrella. Routes uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: Pella is the name of an ancient Macedonian capital, and reads too as a short form of Isabella (said 'PEL-uh'). Routes uncertain, which we note.
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Origin LowEnglish, Greek
MeaningPella is the name of the ancient capital of Macedon, birthplace of Alexander the Great, and of a town in Iowa founded by Dutch settlers. As a modern given name it may also be a short form of names like Isabella or Estrella. Routes uncertain, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#14808 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2014
Total births (all-time)≈ 66

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201820092024

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

Pella carries a few threads, and we give them honestly. It is the name of the ancient capital of Macedon, where Alexander the Great was born, and of a Dutch-founded town in Iowa. As a modern given name it also works as a trim short form of Isabella or Estrella. No single route is documented; routes uncertain, which we note. Short, bright, and unfussy (said 'PEL-uh').

It appears only rarely in U.S. records. Rare, short, and uncertain in route.

Did you know? Pella was the capital of ancient Macedon and the birthplace of Alexander the Great — though as a modern name it more often reads as a short form of Isabella. Routes are uncertain, which we note.
Overall data confidence 32%
References — Pella — ancient Macedonian capital; also short form of Isabella; routes uncertain

Variations

BellaPelaStella

Nicknames

PelPip

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Pella…

Bella— a like -ella short form
Stella— a like bright two-beat name
Ella— the core sound within it
Della— a like vintage -ella pick

Explore names like Pella

By themeuncertainmodernshortplace-name
By meaningGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Pella mean?

Pella names the ancient capital of Macedon, birthplace of Alexander the Great; as a modern name it also reads as a short form of Isabella. Routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Pella?

It's said PEL-uh /ˈpɛl.ə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Pella a boy or girl name?

Pella is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Pella?

Pella is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

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