Isabella Girl

Popularity: #7 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: iz-uh-BEL-uh /ˌɪz.əˈbɛl.ə/

Origin: Italian; Spanish; Hebrew

Meaning: God is my oath (Hebrew); pledged to God (Spanish); devoted to God (Italian)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Isabella has its roots in the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning "God is my oath." This name was adapted into Greek as Elisabet and subsequently into Latin as Elisabetha. The name evolved further into various forms across different languages, including the Old Spanish and Italian Isabella, which became popular in medieval Europe.

The transition into English occurred through the influence of the Normans in the 11th century, where it was introduced as Isabella, a variant of Elizabeth, and gained prominence in the English-speaking world. Historically, the name Isabella has been borne by several notable figures.

One of the most significant was Isabella I of Castile, who reigned from 1474 to 1504 and is known for her role in the unification of Spain and the sponsorship of Christopher Columbus's 1492 expedition. The name also appears in various literary works, including Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure," written in the early 17th century, where the character Isabella embodies themes of virtue and moral integrity.

Additionally, the name is associated with several saints, further solidifying its presence in Christian tradition. Culturally, Isabella has been linked to notions of beauty, nobility, and piety, which have contributed to its enduring appeal throughout the centuries.

The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often symbolizing grace and strength. Diminutive forms such as Bella or Izzy have emerged in various contexts, reflecting the name's adaptability and continued relevance in different linguistic and cultural landscapes.

Overall, Isabella's rich etymological background and historical significance underscore its lasting legacy in both religious and secular contexts.

Famous people named Isabella

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

We also feature individuals named Isabella 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.

Isabella Bird is a writer and explorer best known for A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains, Six Months in the Sandwich Islands, and The Englishwoman in America.

Isabella I of Castile is a historical figure best known for uniting Spain, sponsoring Christopher Columbus, and establishing the Spanish Inquisition.

Isabella of France is a historical figure best known for her marriage to Edward II of England and her role in the overthrow of her husband.

Fictional characters named Isabella

The following list of fictional characters named Isabella is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Isabella is a fictional character from the animated film Encanto. She is the eldest daughter of the Madrigal family, known for her ability to make flowers bloom and her seemingly perfect life.

Sibling suggestions

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

SophiaOliviaCharlotteAmeliaVictoriaGabriella

Similar names

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

ArabellaAnabellaMirabellaIsadoraElianaSelenaSeraphinaLiliana

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Isabella was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Isabella has ranked as high as #1 nationally, which occurred in 2010, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Isabella 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 Isabella 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 Isabella.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 10,666 0 10,666
2024 10,818 8 10,810
2023 10,879 8 10,871
2022 11,774 13 11,761
2021 11,318 9 11,309
2020 12,238 12 12,226
2019 13,423 16 13,407
2018 14,590 15 14,575
2017 15,275 12 15,263
2016 14,875 12 14,863
2015 15,688 21 15,667
2014 17,158 22 17,136
2013 17,707 18 17,689
2012 19,156 18 19,138
2011 19,957 26 19,931
2010 22,966 30 22,936
2009 22,348 27 22,321
2008 18,656 27 18,629
2007 19,164 21 19,143
2006 18,249 18 18,231
2005 15,213 16 15,197
2004 15,070 49 15,021
2003 13,799 18 13,781
2002 12,182 11 12,171
2001 8,841 6 8,835
2000 6,250 8 6,242
1999 5,067 7 5,060
1998 3,851 0 3,851
1997 2,867 5 2,862
1996 2,112 0 2,112
1995 1,739 0 1,739
1994 1,277 0 1,277
1993 831 0 831
1992 508 0 508
1991 305 0 305
1990 217 0 217
1989 140 0 140
1988 81 0 81
1987 75 0 75
1986 60 0 60
1985 36 0 36
1984 36 0 36
1983 31 0 31
1982 34 0 34
1981 38 0 38
1980 36 0 36
1979 22 0 22
1978 26 0 26
1977 23 0 23
1976 22 0 22
1975 31 0 31
1974 28 0 28
1973 32 0 32
1972 31 0 31
1971 42 0 42
1970 39 0 39
1969 30 0 30
1968 23 0 23
1967 43 0 43
1966 45 0 45
1965 39 0 39
1964 46 0 46
1963 50 0 50
1962 47 0 47
1961 53 0 53
1960 53 0 53
1959 48 0 48
1958 53 0 53
1957 65 0 65
1956 64 0 64
1955 61 0 61
1954 53 0 53
1953 63 0 63
1952 63 0 63
1951 65 0 65
1950 55 0 55
1949 68 0 68
1948 77 0 77
1947 82 0 82
1946 74 0 74
1945 64 0 64
1944 75 0 75
1943 90 0 90
1942 72 0 72
1941 96 0 96
1940 76 0 76
1939 86 0 86
1938 100 0 100
1937 105 0 105
1936 80 0 80
1935 93 0 93
1934 90 0 90
1933 116 0 116
1932 128 0 128
1931 139 0 139
1930 142 0 142
1929 155 0 155
1928 178 0 178
1927 182 0 182
1926 187 0 187
1925 205 0 205
1924 231 0 231
1923 228 0 228
1922 241 0 241
1921 236 0 236
1920 252 0 252
1919 274 0 274
1918 254 0 254
1917 237 0 237
1916 246 0 246
1915 242 0 242
1914 187 0 187
1913 165 0 165
1912 161 0 161
1911 129 0 129
1910 151 0 151
1909 97 0 97
1908 112 0 112
1907 126 0 126
1906 110 0 110
1905 105 0 105
1904 88 0 88
1903 96 0 96
1902 84 0 84
1901 92 0 92
1900 128 0 128
1899 94 0 94
1898 86 0 86
1897 86 0 86
1896 88 0 88
1895 90 0 90
1894 92 0 92
1893 109 0 109
1892 88 0 88
1891 79 0 79
1890 91 0 91
1889 80 0 80
1888 63 0 63
1887 58 0 58
1886 80 0 80
1885 48 0 48
1884 76 0 76
1883 54 0 54
1882 44 0 44
1881 50 0 50
1880 50 0 50

Top States for Isabella (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
TX 1,559
14%
CA 1,556
14%
FL 1,046
10%
NY 691
6%
NJ 375
3%
IL 353
3%
GA 345
3%
NC 341
3%
PA 341
3%
AZ 306
3%
OH 282
3%
VA 266
2%
MA 221
2%
MI 216
2%
CO 198
2%
WA 187
2%
TN 183
2%
IN 158
1%
MD 151
1%
CT 143
1%
MO 137
1%
NV 121
1%
WI 118
1%
MN 118
1%
SC 115
1%
KY 110
1%
UT 92
1%
LA 91
1%
OK 91
1%
AL 79
1%
OR 76
1%
KS 73
1%
AR 70
1%
NM 66
1%
IA 58
1%
NE 53
0%
MS 49
0%
ID 45
0%
WV 41
0%
NH 40
0%
DE 35
0%
RI 32
0%
HI 23
0%
AK 21
0%
SD 20
0%
DC 18
0%
ND 15
0%
WY 14
0%
ME 12
0%
VT 10
0%
MT 9
0%