della

Della is the Italian contracted form of di + la, meaning “of the” or “from the” when placed before a feminine singular noun. It functions as a possessive or descriptive prepositional element in standard Italian grammar. For example, della casa means “of the house,” and la porta della casa means “the door of the house.” In Italian proper names, della can appear as part of compound surnames or toponymic identifiers, often signaling origin or association.

In English-language contexts, Della is a feminine given name that has been used since at least the 19th century. It occurs as a standalone name and in various combinations, and has been borne by several notable people. One widely known bearer is Della Reese, an American jazz and gospel singer and actress. The name also appears in fiction, such as Della Street, the secretary in the Perry Mason series, contributing to its cultural recognizability.

As a surname element, della is common in Italian names and often appears in longer forms rather than alone. It frequently conveys a sense of origin or belonging to a family or place. Examples include Luca della Robbia, the Renaissance sculptor, meaning “Luca of the Robbia.” Other common composites include Della Valle and della Torre. In these contexts, della functions as a linking preposition within the surname rather than as an independent given name.