Gisella Girl

Popularity: #928 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: jiz-EL-uh /dʒɪˈzɛlə/

Origin: Italian; German

Meaning: Pledge; hostage (Italian); God is my oath (German)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Gisella has its roots in the Germanic language, derived from the Old High German word "gisil," which means "pledge" or "hostage." This term evolved into various forms in the Germanic languages, leading to the name Gisella as it transitioned into Latinized versions. The name was introduced into English through the influence of Norman French after the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where it was often spelled as "Giselle." The Latin form "Gisella" became more widely recognized in medieval Europe, particularly in regions influenced by Germanic cultures.

Historically, the name Gisella is associated with several notable figures. One prominent example is Saint Gisella of Hungary, who lived in the 11th century and was known for her piety and charitable works.

She was the daughter of Duke Henry II of Bavaria and became the queen consort of Stephen I of Hungary, contributing to the Christianization of Hungary. Her life and legacy were celebrated in various hagiographies, which helped to solidify the name's presence in Christian contexts.

Additionally, the name appears in various medieval texts and records, indicating its usage among nobility and clergy during the Middle Ages. Culturally, Gisella has been associated with themes of loyalty and commitment, reflecting its etymological roots in the concept of a pledge.

The name has also been linked to notions of grace and beauty, particularly through its association with the ballet "Giselle," which premiered in the 19th century and has contributed to the name's romantic connotations. The diminutive form "Gigi" has emerged in various cultures, adding a layer of familiarity and affection to the name.

Overall, Gisella carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its Germanic origins and shaped by its associations with notable historical figures and artistic expressions.

Famous people named Gisella

In this section, you will find notable people named Gisella. 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 Gisella who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Gisella 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.

Gisella Anastasia is a singer and actress best known for her music career and appearances on Indonesian television.

Gisella Liza is a model best known for her work in fashion shows and magazine covers.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gisella, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

GiselleIsabellaGabriellaAnastasiaSofiaElena

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gisella. 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.

GiselleGiselaJocelynMirabellaArabellaEstellaSelenaIsadora

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Gisella was first seen in the United States in 1895.

Gisella has ranked as high as #4659 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and New Jersey.

In the past 5 years the name Gisella has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Gisella 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 Gisella was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Gisella.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 20 20
2024 30 30
2023 33 33
2022 34 34
2021 28 28
2020 29 29
2019 21 21
2018 34 34
2017 35 35
2016 33 33
2015 35 35
2014 41 41
2013 43 43
2012 49 49
2011 54 54
2010 37 37
2009 67 67
2008 49 49
2007 50 50
2006 61 61
2005 53 53
2004 50 50
2003 46 46
2002 31 31
2001 32 32
2000 29 29
1999 28 28
1998 20 20
1997 16 16
1996 25 25
1995 26 26
1994 18 18
1993 18 18
1992 12 12
1991 12 12
1990 11 11
1989 13 13
1988 7 7
1987 13 13
1985 5 5
1984 6 6
1982 9 9
1981 6 6
1980 9 9
1979 10 10
1978 14 14
1977 7 7
1976 9 9
1975 13 13
1974 10 10
1973 10 10
1972 15 15
1971 13 13
1970 8 8
1969 6 6
1968 13 13
1967 9 9
1966 9 9
1964 6 6
1963 11 11
1962 5 5
1961 7 7
1959 5 5
1934 5 5
1928 5 5
1924 5 5
1923 6 6
1921 5 5
1920 8 8
1919 5 5
1918 11 11
1917 7 7
1913 5 5
1912 7 7
1895 6 6

Top States for Gisella (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 7
54%
TX 6
46%