Narelle is a unique and captivating female given name of Australian origin. It was created by the renowned Australian author, Thomas Keneally, for his 1985 novel "A Family Madness." In the story, Narelle is the central character's younger sister, who is intelligent, independent, and fiercely determined.
The name Narelle itself does not have a specific meaning or derivation from any known language. Instead, Keneally crafted it to be distinctively Australian and reflective of his country's culture and heritage. The name has since gained popularity in Australia and beyond, with many parents drawn to its uniqueness and the positive attributes associated with the character Narelle in Keneally's novel.
Despite being relatively new compared to other names, Narelle has become an enduring choice for families who appreciate its Australian roots and distinctive sound. It is often spelled Narrelle or Narell, but the original spelling is Narelle.
"Narelle was quite popular as a baby girl name in the late 20th century, with 6 babies named Narelle in 1987. It then declined in popularity before rising again in recent years; there were 5 babies named Narelle in 2018."