'Annabella' originates from a combination of the Hebrew name 'Hannah' (via the Latin/Greek form 'Anna') and the Italian/Latin word 'bella', where 'Hannah' meant 'favor' or 'grace' and 'bella' meant 'beautiful'.

'Annabella' changed from medieval and early modern forms such as Middle English/French 'Anabel' / 'Anabelle' and later variants 'Annabel' and 'Annabelle', eventually appearing in English records and modern usage as 'Annabella'.

Initially it conveyed the combined senses of its parts ('grace' + 'beautiful'), but over time it evolved into a standalone female given name 'Annabella' used primarily as a personal name rather than a descriptive phrase.