MABEL

Meaning

Mabel is traditionally explained as a reduced English form of Amabel, with the underlying Latin sense of “lovable” or “beloved.” The excerpts also note a later Latinized form, Mabilia, derived from Amabel. One excerpt cautions against folk etymologies such as deriving it from phrases like “ma helle.”

Origin

Fun fact

In older English usage, Mabel came into English speech through Amabel and then shifted in everyday pronunciation, especially in northern dialects.