Meaning & History
Idelle is an elaboration of the name Ida, possibly coined in the English-speaking world in the 19th century. Unlike Idella, which has a similar origin, Idelle uses a French-style suffix that gives it a more delicate, feminine sound.
Etymology
Idelle ultimately derives from Ida, which was introduced to England by the Normans but declined in the Middle Ages. It was revived in the 19th century, partly due to literary works such as Alfred Tennyson's poem The Princess (1847), later adapted into the operetta Princess Ida (1884) by Gilbert and Sullivan. The element id from the Germanic root likely means “work, labour.”
Notable Bearers
Idelle is uncommon as a given name, and few notable figures bear it. It may have appeared occasionally in 19th- and early 20th-century records but never achieved wide usage. The related variant Idella is somewhat more prominent.
Related Forms
Idelle shares its Germanic root with Ida, as well as Scandinavian forms like Iida (Finnish) and Idalia (Germanic). Another close cognate is Idella, also created by adding a suffix to Ida.
- Meaning: possibly “work, labour”
- Origin: Germanic, via Ida
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage: English (19th century revival)