Della
Meaning of Della
Della originated as a late-Victorian nickname for Adelaide, Adeline, and other “Adel–” names that trace back to the Old High German adal, meaning “noble.” It later stood on its own, helped along by O. Henry’s self-sacrificing Della in “The Gift of the Magi,” by the jazz-gospel voice of Della Reese, and by Perry Mason’s unflappable secretary, Della Street. In the United States the name crested around 1900, slipped into relative obscurity mid-century, and has been edging upward again since the 2010s, sitting just inside the national top 500 today. With its brisk two-syllable rhythm—pronounced DEL-uh—it feels simultaneously vintage and streamlined, a quiet alternative to Bella or Stella. Parents who favor names with a hint of retro charm, a dash of literary pedigree, and an understated “noble” meaning may find Della a concise, dignified fit.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as DEL-uh (/ˈdɛlə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Della
| Della Reese was a celebrated American entertainer, famous for her hit songs and groundbreaking role as the first black woman to host her own talk show. |
| Della Warrior made history as the first woman to lead the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and later transformed the Institute of American Indian Arts by securing its permanent home and raising over $100 million, leading to her induction into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame. |
| Della Irving Hayden was an American educator who founded the Franklin Normal and Industrial Institute in Franklin, Virginia in 1904. |
| Della Destiara Haris is an Indonesian badminton player who has won medals in World and Asian Championships. |
