Gisela Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GEE-zuh-lah //ˈɡɪz.ə.lə//
Origin: German; Spanish
Meaning: German: pledge; Spanish: devoted
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Gisela has its roots in the Germanic language, derived from the Old High German name "Gisil" which means "pledge" or "hostage." The name evolved through various forms, including the Middle High German "Gisel" and eventually became Gisela in modern usage. The transition into English occurred through the influence of Germanic tribes and their interactions with the Anglo-Saxons, particularly during the early medieval period when many Germanic names were adopted into English culture.
Historically, Gisela has been borne by several notable figures, including Gisela of Bavaria, who lived in the 10th century and was the daughter of Duke Otto I of Bavaria. She is remembered for her piety and her role in the Christianization of the region.
Another significant figure is Gisela of Hungary, who was a princess in the 11th century and became a saint in the Catholic Church, further solidifying the name's association with nobility and religious devotion. The name also appears in various historical texts and documents, reflecting its usage among the nobility and clergy throughout the Middle Ages.
Culturally, Gisela has been associated with themes of loyalty and commitment, stemming from its etymological meaning of "pledge." This connection has contributed to its endurance in various cultures, particularly in German-speaking regions. The name has also inspired diminutive forms such as Gisi, which have been used affectionately.
Overall, Gisela carries a rich historical and cultural significance, reflecting both its linguistic origins and the notable individuals who have borne the name throughout history.
Famous people named Gisela
In this section, you will find notable people named Gisela. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Gisela who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Gisela who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Gisela Lladó is a Spanish artist best known for her contemporary paintings and sculptures.
Gisela Pulido is a Spanish professional kitesurfer best known for multiple world championships in freestyle kitesurfing.
Gisela Kallenbach is a German environmentalist best known for her work in sustainable development and conservation.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gisela, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gisela. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Gisela was first seen in the United States in 1915.
Gisela has ranked as high as #1090 nationally, which occurred in 1995, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Gisela has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Gisela is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Gisela was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Gisela (2023)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 8 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Gisela.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 33 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2022 | 34 |
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2020 | 38 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2018 | 41 |
| 2017 | 41 |
| 2016 | 46 |
| 2015 | 51 |
| 2014 | 41 |
| 2013 | 42 |
| 2012 | 56 |
| 2011 | 61 |
| 2010 | 68 |
| 2009 | 56 |
| 2008 | 83 |
| 2007 | 81 |
| 2006 | 102 |
| 2005 | 114 |
| 2004 | 115 |
| 2003 | 118 |
| 2002 | 81 |
| 2001 | 85 |
| 2000 | 74 |
| 1999 | 79 |
| 1998 | 103 |
| 1997 | 77 |
| 1996 | 98 |
| 1995 | 160 |
| 1994 | 102 |
| 1993 | 72 |
| 1992 | 64 |
| 1991 | 59 |
| 1990 | 87 |
| 1989 | 46 |
| 1988 | 59 |
| 1987 | 38 |
| 1986 | 48 |
| 1985 | 56 |
| 1984 | 37 |
| 1983 | 45 |
| 1982 | 47 |
| 1981 | 73 |
| 1980 | 62 |
| 1979 | 75 |
| 1978 | 83 |
| 1977 | 75 |
| 1976 | 85 |
| 1975 | 98 |
| 1974 | 77 |
| 1973 | 38 |
| 1972 | 46 |
| 1971 | 40 |
| 1970 | 29 |
| 1969 | 34 |
| 1968 | 26 |
| 1967 | 35 |
| 1966 | 35 |
| 1965 | 35 |
| 1964 | 36 |
| 1963 | 36 |
| 1962 | 36 |
| 1961 | 26 |
| 1960 | 33 |
| 1959 | 34 |
| 1958 | 32 |
| 1957 | 19 |
| 1956 | 12 |
| 1955 | 15 |
| 1954 | 14 |
| 1953 | 9 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1948 | 6 |
| 1947 | 10 |
| 1941 | 5 |
| 1937 | 5 |
| 1936 | 5 |
| 1932 | 6 |
| 1931 | 8 |
| 1930 | 8 |
| 1929 | 10 |
| 1928 | 9 |
| 1927 | 6 |
| 1926 | 5 |
| 1925 | 6 |
| 1923 | 6 |
| 1922 | 5 |
| 1918 | 5 |
| 1917 | 5 |
| 1915 | 5 |