Possibly from Latin 'orabilis' meaning yielding to prayer, or a medieval Scottish alteration of Annabel.
Arabella is a name of somewhat mysterious elegance. It is often associated with Latin-looking forms and has been linked, not always conclusively, to names such as Orabella or Amabel, the latter meaning "lovable" from Latin roots. Another theory sees it as shaped by the Scottish name Annabel or by medieval romantic naming fashions that favored flowing, ornamental forms.
Whatever its precise origin, Arabella entered English usage centuries ago carrying an unmistakable air of nobility and elaboration. The name appears repeatedly in aristocratic and literary circles. Arabella Stuart, a noblewoman with a plausible claim to the English throne in the late Tudor and early Stuart period, gave it historical prestige and drama.
In literature, Arabella appears in works by authors including Henry Fielding and Thomas Hardy, often attached to memorable, complicated women. There is also Richard Strauss’s comic opera Arabella, which lends the name a distinctly European, cultured sheen. These references have helped preserve it as a name that feels romantic and intelligent rather than merely decorative.
Its usage has ebbed and flowed. For a long time Arabella felt grand, even faintly old-fashioned, but the revival of elaborate vintage names has brought it back into favor. Parents who like Isabella often find Arabella more distinctive, with the same musical ending but a more literary and aristocratic profile.
Over time it has shifted from stately rarity to stylish revival. The name still carries lace, country houses, and old novels in its wake, but it now also feels lively and wearable, a name where historical glamour meets modern confidence.