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Zella

ZEHL-uh
African, Bobangi, Libyan place name, diminutive of Rosella, Marcella, Gizella, or Isabella
"lacking nothing, one who knows the way"
Pamela Redmond
By Pamela Redmond
Updated Sat Mar 29 2025

Zella Origin and Meaning

The name Zella is a girl's name of African origin meaning "lacking nothing, one who knows the way".

Sunny, sassy, and stylish, Zella is a multicultural and versatile choice which works across multiple languages. Popular back in the early 19th century, Zella is now catching the attention of cotemporary parent as a rival to Ella, Stella, and Della.

From its African roots, Zella is both a Libyan oasis and a name of Bobangi origin with the powerful meaning "lacking knowing, one who knows the way". From its American and European roots, Zella likely emerged as a short form or a twist on names including: Rosella, Marcella, Gizella, Isabella, Zelda, Zillah, Griselda, or Zelie, giving it a whole host of possible meanings.

Zella was in the US Top 1000 between 1880 and 1950, before it mostly fell out of use. It began to see renewed interest in the late 2000s and in a recent year, was given to around 130 girls.

# 969 in the US

Zella Rank in US Top 1000

# 1184 on Nameberry

Zella Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Popularity of the name Zella

20 Names Similar to Zella

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Zella.

Famous People Named Zella

  • Zella Lehr
    American singer
  • Rosella "Zella" O'Connor Russell
    American vaudevillian
  • Zella Day
    American singer
  • Zella Allen Dixson
    American author and librarian
  • Zella Jackson Price
    American gospel singer