Fiorella: Baby Name of the Day

The baby name Fiorella blends our love of all things floral with an elaborate, dramatic feel.

Thanks to Laura for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES FIORELLA MEAN?

Fiorella might sound fiery, but the name comes from the Italian word fiore – flower. That makes it a cousin to Flora, from the Latin florem.

Add the diminutive -ella ending and Fiorella means little flower.

FAMOUS FIORELLO

If you live near New York, you might immediately think of LaGuardia. Most famous as an airport today, it’s named in honor of former New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia.

Fiorello ran the city from 1934 to 1945, the Depression years through World War II – quite an era. He was larger than life, a supporter of President Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, an opponent of the once all-powerful Tammany Hall machine, and successful builder of all sorts of urban infrastructure. 

In 1959, a Broadway musical titled Fiorello!, based on his life and career, debuted on Broadway.

During his lifetime, the translation of his name – and his short stature – led to the nickname “Little Flower.”

SAINTLY FIORELLA

For Catholics, the phrase “little flower” brings to mind a specific and significant figure: Saint Therese of Lisieux.

Saint Therese’s autobiography, The Story of a Soul, remains widely read. She’s among the most popular of modern saints, canonized in 1925. During her lifetime, Therese described herself as a simple wildflower, growing and flourishing where she happened to find herself planted.

The name is rich with spiritual meaning. Even in a secular sense, Therese’s description of nature, and to the way all of life is connected and worthy of recognition, carries much appeal.

ITALIAN HERITAGE CHOICE

Model and actress Isabella Rossellini is the daughter of actress Ingrid Bergman and director Roberto Rossellini. Born in 1952, her full name is Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna. (She has a twin sister named Isotta Ingrid Frieda Giuliana.) 

Acclaimed Italian singer Fiorella Mannoia’s career has spanned five decades. During the 1940s, actress Fiorella Betti was another noteworthy figure.

A handful of other famous people from Italy answer to the name, particularly from the 1920s through 1950s. More recently, astrophysicist Fiorella Terenzi has become known for recording the radio waves of distant galaxies and transforming them into music.

It’s sometimes described as a name from the Middle Ages or Renaissance period. While it has that energy, Fiorella probably wasn’t common. When it is cited, it’s typically described as rare.

Both Fiorella and Fiorello occur as first names and last names over the years, too. The surname Fiorella belonged to a cousin of Napoleon Bonaparte, who fought in the French Revolution before serving as a general in the Napoleonic Wars.

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME FIORELLA?

The first name Fiorella was first given to five girls born in the US back in 1974. That marks the name’s debut in the US Social Security Administration records.

From 1989 onward, Fiorella was given to five or more girls every year. In 2023, 54 girls received the name.

Fiorella has also made her mark in South America – appearing in the Top 100 of Peru earlier in the 2000s, and popular in Chile in recent years.

One possible reason for increased popularity in Spanish-speaking countries? 2000’s Pobre Diabla, a Peruvian telenovela. Actress Angie Cepeda played the main character, Fiorella Morelli.

In 2006, Fiorella Viñas earned the Miss Peru title. She went on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.

Looking at US popularity data, spikes in the years 2000/2001, and again after 2006 suggest that Latin American influence gets credit for the name’s success.

ELABORATE ELLA NAMES

Then again, American parents have loved elaborate -ella names.

Isabella held #1 spot in the land in 2009 and 2010. Americans have kept Isabella in the Top Ten since the year 2004.

There’s also just Ella, a perpetual Top 20 favorite, as well as Izabella, Bella, Stella, Arabella, Annabella (and Annabelle), Briella, Ariella, Antonella, Daniella, Estella, Della, Luella, and Estrella. Though that last one – Estrella – is the Spanish word for star, which is pronounced more like es-tray-yuh. 

Like many an elaborate name, nicknames abound. Fi, Fia, Fifi, Rella, and Ella all seem like possibilities.

LUSH AND DISTINCTIVE CHOICE

Parents looking for an uncommon, romantic name of Italian origin might love Fiorella. It’s lush and distinctive. And while it’s a big name, the meaning of the name Fiorella – flowers – puts it in the company of Top 100 favorites like Violet and Lily.

In many ways, Fiorella fits with enduring classics for our daughters, like Victoria, as well as current favorites like Eliana. And yet it stands out, too – a girl’s name that balances the unexpected with the familiar.

If you’re after something memorable, international, and feminine, Fiorella could be the perfect name for your family.

What do you think of the baby name Fiorella?

First published on September 25, 2014, this post was revised on December 12, 2024.