Origin of the name Annabelle:

A name of uncertain etymology which has been in common use in Scotland since the 12th century. Some believe it to be an old Norman name derived from the element arn (eagle) or arin (a hearth). Others think it is a variant of Amabel, an old French name derived from the Latin amābilis (lovable) or from the Gaelic Ainè (joy). Its use in the English-speaking world was reinforced by the names Anna and Belle and is often taken as a combination of such. Alternatively, Annabel has been used to Anglicize Barabel, the Gaelic form of Barbara (foreign woman).

From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman.Buy the book