Girl · 103rd of 35,406
Isabel
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
132,214
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2006
Peak Popularity Year
4,019
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Isabel stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Isabel is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'God is my oath'. It evolved from Elisheba to Elizabeth and then to Isabel in Spanish. The name reflects traits of grace and dignity, with a strong historical presence in royal contexts. It does not have a direct biblical relevance. Isabel gained popularity during the late medieval period and remains a stylish choice today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɪzəˌbɛl/
Origin
Hebrew, Spanish
Etymology
Isabel is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning 'God is my oath'. It became popular in the Spanish-speaking world as a variant of Elizabeth.
Meaning
God is my oath
Language Evolution
Elisheba (Hebrew), Elizabeth (English), Isabel (Spanish)
Historical Usage
Isabel gained popularity in medieval Europe, especially after the marriage of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon in the late 15th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Isabella, Isobel, Bella, Izzy
Modern Popularity & Image
Isabel is viewed as a classic and elegant name, often associated with royalty and nobility.
Famous People
Isabel Allende, Isabel II of Spain, Isabel Adjani
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,019 peak births in 2006
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 11 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1505th of 7545 | 383 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1329th of 6773 | 484 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1811th of 7552 | 356 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2672nd of 10718 | 218 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3554th of 16616 | 240 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 8367th of 24088 | 119 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 15145th of 23106 | 27 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 206th of 9107 | 17,300 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 317th of 9204 | 7,701 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 462nd of 12526 | 7,459 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 503rd of 19264 | 6,235 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 337th of 27321 | 12,078 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 103rd of 35406 | 51,984 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 142nd of 30306 | 24,244 |