Annabel

Annabel developed as a form of Amabel, the medieval name descended from Latin amabilis, meaning lovable. Its resemblance to Anna helped shape the familiar spelling, but the historical route is more specific than simply joining Anna to the French word belle. The name has a longstanding connection with Scotland as well as wider English use.

Edgar Allan Poe’s poem Annabel Lee gives this spelling a lasting literary association. Its title character belongs to the poem’s imagined story, even though readers have often discussed possible real-life inspirations. Annabelle and Anabel are related written forms, each preserving the same broad name family. Annabel offers a useful combination for parents interested in an established name: a clear affectionate meaning, recognizable literary history, and a spelling that remains close to the medieval form.