Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Mabel

Mabel is a medieval English name which developed from the old Anglo-Norman girl’s name Amabel. Amabel ultimately comes from the Old French (via the Latin) “amabilis” meaning “loveable”. Although Amabel is now obsolete, she gave way to the names Annabel and Mabel before her extinction. Amabel and Mabel were in regular use in England from the 11th to 15th centuries (while the Scottish people were more inclined to use Annabel). Amabel and Mabel were later revived in the mid-19th century thanks to a Victorian novel called “The Heir of Redclyffe” written by Charlotte M. Yonge and published in 1853 (in fact, one of the most popular English novels of the century). The central female character, Amabel, represents the Victorian female ideal (virtuous, pious and, well, “loveable”). See literary references below for more information on Amabel. Mabel became quite fashionable again in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The only place where Mabel is even slightly used today in the 21st century is in England. Belle or Bella are possible nicknames.

All About the Baby Name – Mabel

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME MABEL

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME MABEL

Considered completely old-fashioned and outdated by today’s standards, Mabel was at one time all the rage. Boy, has this one fallen from her pedestal. In the year 1891, for example, Mabel was the 15th most commonly bestowed name on baby girls (right between Grace and Alice). Fast forward to today, Mabel is no longer even a Top 1000 pick! This old-lady hasn’t seen a revival like some of her old turn-of-the-century friends (Emma, Lillian, Alice, Grace, Rose, Pearl, Hazel and Elsie). Despite renewed interest in old-fashioned favorites, Mabel hasn’t made the cut. She’s growing cobwebs right alongside other geriatrics like Florence, Ethel, Mildred, Gladys, Bertha, Agnes, Edith and Louise. Mabel lost her Top 100 standing back in 1923 and she steadily lost her appeal until the 1950s when she pretty much went into a freefall decline down the charts. By 1965, this name all but disappeared and has yet to see the light of day. A seriously neglected and underused name, we think Mabel is a cutie-pie. We also remember the TV baby Mabel born to Paul and Jamie Buchanan, the main characters of the 1990s sitcom “Mad About You” (1992-1999). She was so named because it was an anagram for: "Mothers Always Bring Extra Love."

Quick Facts

ON MABEL

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

707

PRONUNCIATION:

MAY-bәl

SIMPLE MEANING:

Loveable

Characteristics

OF MABEL

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Mabel

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME MABEL

Mabel is the lovely lady lead in The Pirates of Penzance, the comic opera by Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert that premiered in 1879 (played on latter day Broadway and film by a delightful Linda Ronstadt). She is the beloved of Frederic, who has just left his enforced apprenticeship as a pirate, having lately turned twenty-one years of age. The first woman he meets upon embarking is Mabel – lucky for him, she is a beauty and loves him on first sight right back. All should be well, but for the fact that it turns out Frederic was a Leap Year baby, therefore, his apprenticeship won’t be up until 1940 (which didn’t look too good from the 19th century). Well, Mabel is as good (or dopey) as she is beautiful, and she agrees to wait for him. Of course, this dilemma is solved amidst much singing, and the happy couple is able to unite and tra-la-la their way off to the horizon.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME MABEL

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Mabel


Popular Songs

ON MABEL

San Francisco Mabel Joy
a song by Waylon Jennings

Mistress Mabel
a song by The Fratellis

Mabel
a song by Juliana Hatfield

Have You Seen Mabel
a song by Rocky Bill Ford

Famous People

NAMED MABEL

Mabel Normand (silent screen star)
Maybel Williams (namesake of Maybelline cosmetics)
Mabel Dodge Luhan (heiress, patron of the arts)
Mabel Mercer (cabaret singer)
Mabel Albertson (actress)
Mabel Gardiner Hubbard (wife of Alexander Graham Bell)

Children of Famous People

NAMED MABEL

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

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME MABEL

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