Gisela Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Gisela has Germanic origins and is derived from the word for 'pledge' or 'hostage', symbolizing a noble commitment. It has evolved through various forms over time and gained prominence during the Middle Ages. Gisela is associated with traits of strength and nobility, and it has no biblical connections. Today, it is perceived as a classic name with several variants.
The name Gisela is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Gisela has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Gisela' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5349th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4967th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2794th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1729th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1880th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2168th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3861st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Gisela' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gisela"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɪzələ/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Gisela is derived from the Old Germanic word 'gisil', meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage'. It is often interpreted as 'a noble pledge'.
Meaning
pledge, hostage, noble pledge
Language Evolution
Gisla, Gisela, Gisèle
Historical Usage
The name Gisela gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in Germany and among the nobility, and has remained in use throughout the centuries.
Variants & Derivatives
Gisèle, Gisla, Giselle, Gizelle
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Gisela is viewed as a classic and elegant name, often associated with strength and nobility.
Famous People
Gisela of Bavaria, a princess of the Holy Roman Empire, Gisela Litz, a notable German painter
Explore More Gisela Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gisela"
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 of "Gisela"
"Gisela" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5349th of 9107 | 43 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4967th of 9204 | 56 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2794th of 12526 | 323 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1729th of 19264 | 873 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1880th of 27321 | 1,091 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2168th of 35406 | 1,353 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3861st of 30306 | 470 |
Regional Popularity of "Gisela" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Gisela" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
95.69% 2131st/2227 |
53.29% 1295th/2430 |
- |
88.07% 2444th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
74.91% 2200th/2937 |
31.84% 1109th/3483 |
40.11% 1411th/3518 |
30.44% 1231st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
67.46% 2486th/3685 |
51.46% 2303rd/4475 |
28.24% 1467th/5194 |
18.63% 1177th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
61.55% 2820th/4582 |
63.94% 3302nd/5164 |
26.49% 1937th/7313 |
19.63% 1465th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
84.85% 3807th/4487 |
45.03% 3072nd/6822 |
46.51% 2919th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Gisela"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gisela" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.