Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Annabel

Most people would assume that the name Annabel is a pairing of the names Anna and Belle, but they’d be wrong. Annabel is actually a Scottish lass name, derived from an old Anglo-Norman female given name, Amabel. Amabel is an Old French variation of the Latin “amabilis” meaning “loveable”. Although Amabel is now obsolete, she birthed the names Anabel and Mabel before becoming extinct herself. Annabel became a particular favorite in Scotland and was generally confined there from the 12th century until the 19th century before enjoying more widespread usage among English speakers outside of the Scottish borders. One particularly famous Scottish name bearer was Anabella Drummond (c. 1350-1401) who was a medieval Queen Consort of Scotland having been married to King Robert III of Scotland. Her youngest son also became King James I of Scotland after his father’s death. In fact, Anabella Drummond was the great-great-great-great grandmother of Mary, Queen of Scots. Today, it’s a commonplace name throughout the English-speaking world and has produced several spelling variations over time. The current most popular spelling in the United States is the fanciful Annabelle followed by Annabella. Annabel is the spelling most preferred by appreciators of literature since this was the spelling used by Edgar Allen Poe’s haunting heroine in the very famous poem, “Annabel Lee” (1849).

All About the Baby Name – Annabel

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME ANNABEL

The Master Number Twenty-Two combines the traits of Twos and Fours into a powerful force. The references to The Master Builder and "large undertakings" serve to underscore the massive potential of this personality. They are extremely capable and therefore almost always successful. Twenty-Twos are courageous leaders, innovative thinkers, extremely wise and highly organized. As such, they are able to manifest something of major importance that will have a lasting impact on this world. Master Numbers carry with them a great sense of responsibility, so it can be a burden. However, Twenty-Twos are executors and action-takers. Further, this personality exhibits traits of the Twos, which brings sensitivity, spirituality and harmony, so their endeavors are likely to benefit mankind in some capacity.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME ANNABEL

This particular spelling of the “Annabel” names is currently the 4th most common in the United States, but it’s also the most classical in our opinion. The fancy-pants and elaborate spellings of Annabelle and Annabella are ruling the ranks today, but there’s something more refined about Annabel. Annabel dates back to the late 19th century in America. At the turn of the 20th century the name was used only lightly. Annabel then disappeared from the charts for almost 70 consecutive years (1933-1999) before returning this new century in the year 2000. Annabel’s revival is probably owed to one of the latest trends in American naming practices; that is, the appeal of old-fashioned female names loaded with antique charm. Annabel has now reached levels of respectable moderation on the charts, but when you take all the seven spelling variations of this name collectively, it’s bestowed upon over 6,000 baby girls annually. That puts Annabel on par with names like Amelia and Charlotte. Annabel is a great all-around choice. Her “loveable” etymology, her Scottish heritage, her femininity, and her charming connection to Poe’s “Annabel Lee” make her an attractive selection to many discerning parents.

Quick Facts

ON ANNABEL

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

480

PRONUNCIATION:

AHN-ә-bel

SIMPLE MEANING:

Loveable

Characteristics

OF ANNABEL

The Master Builder

Leader

Large Undertakings

Confidence

Discipline

Organization

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Annabel

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ANNABEL

Annabel Lee is the title character of Edgar Allan Poe’s 1849 poem of the same name, published shortly after his death that very year, and is widely believed to have been based on his wife, Virginia. The subject matter of the poem is one of Poe’s most maudlin and favorite – the death of a beautiful young woman. Annabel was the life love of the narrator from childhood; her union with him resulted in so much happiness that it made the angels envious, and they caused her death. Death is no competition to this young man, however, as his love for Annabel will last until the end of time and they shall be reunited when the time is right. Until that moment comes, however, the poet lies by her side every night “… in her tomb by the sounding sea”. Morbid, perhaps, but also hauntingly beautiful, as is the name, Annabel.

Annabel Williams is the title character in L. Frank Baum’s juvenile novel of 1906, Annabel: A Novel for Young Folk. The famous writer of the Oz series published it under the pseudonym of Suzanne Metcalf. Annabel is an heiress who falls in love with Will Carden (the real lead character), a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Will pursues a Horatio Alger-type path of hard work from rags to riches, while the beautiful and honorable Annabel stands beside him. Will has one great advantage in addition to his sterling character and Annabel’s loyalty – his father is really rich, and a twisty plot that bumps into international spy rings will reveal that convenient truth. Oh, well, we are sure that young Annabel would have been the doting young champion of Will even if he really were only a “vegetable boy”. Miss “Suzanne Metcalf, alas, brought us no more such stories.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ANNABEL

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Annabel


Popular Songs

ON ANNABEL

Beautiful Annabel Lee
a song by Waylon Jennings

Farewell to Annabel
a song by Gordon Lightfoot

Annabel Lee
a song by Joan Baez

Annabel
a song by Don Henley

Famous People

NAMED ANNABEL

We cannot find any celebrities or significantly famous people with the first name Annabel.

Children of Famous People

NAMED ANNABEL

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Annabel

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ANNABEL

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Annabel