Isabella Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Isabella has its origins in Hebrew, meaning 'God is my oath,' and has evolved through various languages, including Old English and Spanish. It is characterized by grace and nobility, with a rich historical background linked to notable figures. The name does not have biblical connections but gained prominence during the Middle Ages. Today, Isabella is perceived positively and remains a popular choice for many parents.
The name Isabella is most popular in Nevada, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been consistently rising. From 2020-2022, Isabella has been too rising for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. Across generations, 'Isabella' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4680th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6221st out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 413th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 702nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1330th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2434th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 499th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Isabella' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Isabella"
Pronunciation
/ˌɪzəˈbɛlə/
Origin
Italian and Spanish
Etymology
The name Isabella is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning 'God is my oath.' It has also been linked to the Spanish name Isabel, which is a derivative of Elizabeth.
Meaning
God is my oath
Language Evolution
Elisheba (Hebrew), Elizabeth (Old English), Isabel (Spanish), Isabella (Italian/Spanish)
Historical Usage
Isabella gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in Spain and Italy, largely due to the influence of historical figures such as Queen Isabella I of Castile, who ruled in the late 15th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Isabel, Bella, Isabelita, Izzy
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Isabella is a widely used name in many cultures, often associated with beauty, grace, and nobility. It remains popular in various countries and is frequently chosen for its romantic and classic qualities.
Famous People
Isabella I of Castile, Isabella Rossellini, Isabella Blow
Explore More Isabella Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Isabella"
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 "Isabella"
"Isabella" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4680th of 24088 | 287 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 6221st of 23106 | 165 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 413th of 9107 | 4,718 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 702nd of 9204 | 1,885 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1330th of 12526 | 1,140 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2434th of 19264 | 516 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 499th of 27321 | 7,518 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 7th of 35406 | 223,341 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 4th of 30306 | 165,444 |
Regional Popularity of "Isabella" 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) |
- |
53.39% 2757th/5164 |
42.77% 3128th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Isabella" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
39.27% 556th/1416 |
18.93% 261st/1379 |
23.33% 552nd/2366 |
61.82% 706th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
76.65% 1185th/1546 |
26.61% 414th/1556 |
32.13% 756th/2353 |
74.27% 1149th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
79.70% 1775th/2227 |
36.38% 884th/2430 |
46.76% 1334th/2853 |
58.38% 1620th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
100.00% 2937th/2937 |
43.93% 1530th/3483 |
93.83% 3301st/3518 |
57.79% 2337th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
15.31% 564th/3685 |
9.68% 433rd/4475 |
11.01% 572nd/5194 |
6.54% 413th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.28% 13th/4582 |
0.12% 6th/5164 |
0.14% 10th/7313 |
0.04% 3rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
0.23% 9th/3984 |
0.09% 4th/4487 |
0.06% 4th/6822 |
0.08% 5th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Isabella"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Isabella" 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.