Meaning & History
Mable is a variant spelling of the name Mabel, which itself derives from the medieval feminine form of Amabilis, meaning “lovable” in Latin. The variant spelling Mable, like Mabel, was common during the Middle Ages but declined after the 15th century. It saw a revival in the 19th century, partly influenced by C. M. Yonge's novel The Heir of Redclyffe (1854), which featured a character named Mabel.
Notable Bearers
Mable has been used as a given name for several notable women, including Mable Burton Ringling (1875–1929), an American philanthropist and art collector; Mable John (1930–2022), a pioneering blues vocalist who was the first female artist signed to Motown's Tamla label; and Mable Thomas (born 1957), an American politician from Georgia. In sports, Mable Fergerson (born 1955) competed as an American sprinter. Mable Elmore (born 1967) is a Canadian politician in British Columbia, and Mable Hillery (1929–1976) was a folk singer. As a surname, it has been borne by Robert Mable, the founder of Mableton, Georgia, and Australian rugby league footballer Bob Mable (1885–1960).
Related Names and Variants
Mable shares its root with many variants: Mabelle, Maybell, Maybelle, Bella, and Mabella. Diminutives like Mae or May are also used. Cognate forms in other languages include Annabel (Dutch), Amable (French), Annabelle (French), Amabilia (Late Roman), Anabela (Portuguese), and Anabel (Spanish).
- Meaning: “lovable” (from Hebrew origin of Amabilis via Latin)
- Origin: Variant of Mabel, medieval feminine form of Amabilis
- Type: Given name and surname
- Usage regions: English-speaking world
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Mable (name)