Annabelle is a charming and distinctive given name of French origin. It is composed of two elements: "Anna," which means "grace" or "favor," and "Belle," meaning "beautiful." Therefore, the name Annabelle signifies "beautiful grace."
The name Annabelle has a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages in France. It was first used as a diminutive form of Anne or Anna, combining the French word for beautiful, belle, with the popular names Anne and Anna.
In medieval times, Annabelle was not widely used as a given name. However, it began to gain popularity during the 19th century in France and other European countries. Since then, Annabelle has been adopted by many families around the world, becoming a classic yet unique choice for a baby girl's name.
Today, Annabelle is still a popular name, often ranked among the top 500 names for newborn girls in various English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Its popularity can be attributed to its sweet sound, memorable spelling, and meaningful signification of "beautiful grace."
While the name Annabelle may be associated with fictional characters like the doll from the horror movie franchise "Annabelle," it is essential to remember that this name has a rich history and cultural significance beyond its pop culture references.
In conclusion, Annabelle is a captivating given name with French roots, combining the meanings of "grace" and "beautiful." Its usage dates back centuries but has only recently gained widespread popularity in English-speaking countries. This charming and distinctive name continues to be beloved by parents looking for an elegant yet unique choice for their baby girl.
The name Annabelle has been given to babies born in the United States since at least 1880, with a total of 65,720 births recorded up until 2023.
In the late 19th century, the number of births was relatively low, ranging from just 9 births in 1880 to a peak of 44 births in 1896. However, starting around 1905, there was a significant increase in the popularity of the name Annabelle, with over 70 births recorded each year.
The early 20th century saw a steady rise in the number of girls named Annabelle, with over 300 births recorded annually by the 1910s. This trend continued throughout the decade, culminating in over 500 births in 1924.
However, from the mid-1920s onwards, there was a gradual decline in the popularity of the name Annabelle. By the late 1930s and early 1940s, the number of births had dropped to around 150 per year.
After World War II, the popularity of the name Annabelle continued to wane, with fewer than 100 births recorded annually between 1946 and 1954. The lowest point was reached in 1955, with just 26 births recorded that year.
However, starting in the late 1950s, there was a slight resurgence in the popularity of the name Annabelle, with over 50 births recorded each year until the early 1970s. This trend continued throughout the decade, reaching a peak of 83 births in 1969.
The late 1970s and early 1980s saw another decline in the popularity of the name Annabelle, with fewer than 50 births recorded annually between 1978 and 1982. However, starting around 1984, there was a steady increase in the number of girls named Annabelle, reaching over 100 births per year by the early 1990s.
The trend continued throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, with over 500 births recorded annually by the late 1990s. This popularity peak was sustained until around 2006, when there were over 1,700 births recorded that year alone.
However, since then, the popularity of the name Annabelle has declined once again, with fewer than 1,000 births recorded annually since 2015. Despite this recent decline, Annabelle remains a popular choice for parents in the United States, with over 900 births recorded in both 2022 and 2023.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Annabelle has fluctuated significantly over time, it has remained a well-loved choice for parents throughout much of U.S. history.