Names ending in ella

The eponymous character in an Edgar Allan Poe ghost story, gothic Morella was likely based on Latin mors ("death") or Greek mauros ("black"). It’s also a subtle nature name, being an alternative name for the poisonous black nightshade plant.

Maristella is used as a "smoosh" name in Greek, typically with Maria Stella or Maria Styliane on the official birth certificate. Maristella can also stem from the Latin words Maris and Stella, meaning sea and star. Maristela is the equally evocative Spanish and Portuguese equivalent.

One of the least appealing of the ella-ending names, especially if you check pernicious in the dictionary.

Frilly but undeniably beautiful. The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Cornish form of William

Extremely unusual ella-ending choice.

A character in Winston Graham's Poldark series of historical novels set in Cornwall around the turn of the 19th century. Rowella is the rebellious sister of Morwenna Chynoweth, and the lover of her sister's odious husband Osborne Whitworth. She is played by Esme Coy in the recent BBC adaptation. The origins of the name are unclear, but Rowella's fashionable ending could make it the perfect stands-out-fits-in choice.

Ida is one of those terminally old-fashioned names that suddenly sounds fresh again, especially given how fashionable it is in Europe. Ida, usually pronounced ee-da, is a Top 100 name in Scandinavia and German-speaking countries, and is rising more gently in the US.

Ada is one of those names found in two different languages with two different meanings. As a German name, it means noble or nobility, and as a Turkish name, it means island.

Ewella is one of the modern Cornish word names plucked straight from the dictionary. It's very name-like with its -ella ending, but the Ew up front gives us pause.

Graziella, an Italian form of Grace, is another Latin version that adds spice. Consider Graziella as a distinctive alternative to either Grace or Gabriella.

Dianella is the botanical name of a small plant which grows across Australia. It flowers in spring with a star-like purple flower which develops into a blue berry. Dianella feels wearable as an elaboration of Diana.

Long and lilting but with the familiar sounds of Emma and Ella, Emmanuella is an alternative spelling to the Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian Emanuela. In 2023, it was one of the fastest rising names in the UK and is also popular in Ghana, Haiti, Nigeria, Gabon, France, and Cameroon.

We like all forms of this name—Annabel, Anabel, Annabelle, Anabela, and Annabella—so you decide how elaborate you want to get. Actress Sela Ward chose the Anabella spelling.