Meaning & origin
Where it comes from
Penella is a variant of Penelope. A possible origin is Greek, although the derivation remains uncertain.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1952. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Penella is a variant of Penelope. The history of Penelope gives this family its wider story. In mythological stories, Penelope is associated with the faithful wife of Odysseus.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Penella through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 5
- 0 boys · 5 girls
- Most popular year
- 1952
- 5 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 5 in 1952. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Penella’s family of names
Penella has a related form in Penelope.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Penella, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Pandora
>99% girls
Penney
Penney is a surname.
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Penni
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Adonna
“God is my lord”
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Cinda
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Cynthea
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Reenie
“the golden one” · “a brooding woman”
>99% girls
Cynda
>99% girls