Isobel Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Isobel is a Scottish name derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning 'God is my oath'. It evolved through various forms such as Elizabeth and Isabel. The name signifies strength and loyalty and does not have biblical relevance. Isobel gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages and continues to be viewed positively in contemporary society, associated with notable figures in music and arts.
The name Isobel is most popular in Pennsylvania, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast 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, Isobel has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, falling 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, 'Isobel' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1078th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2031st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5635th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 13377th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8588th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2433rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2026th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Isobel' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Isobel"
Pronunciation
/ˈɪzəˌbɛl/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
Isobel is a variant of Elizabeth, which derives from the Hebrew name Elisheba meaning 'God is my oath'.
Meaning
God is my oath
Language Evolution
Elisheba, Elizabeth, Isabel, Isobel
Historical Usage
Isobel gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages and has been used in various forms across Europe.
Variants & Derivatives
Isabel, Isabella, Bella
Modern Popularity & Image
Isobel is perceived as a classic and elegant name, often associated with strength and tradition in modern contexts.
Famous People
Isobel Campbell - Scottish musician and singer, Isobel McArthur - Scottish actress and playwright
Explore More Isobel Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Isobel"
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 "Isobel"
"Isobel" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1078th of 9107 | 835 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2031st of 9204 | 314 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5635th of 12526 | 88 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 13377th of 19264 | 20 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8588th of 27321 | 124 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2433rd of 35406 | 1,137 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2026th of 30306 | 1,155 |
Regional Popularity of "Isobel" 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 "Isobel" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
75.85% 1074th/1416 |
46.05% 635th/1379 |
100.00% 2366th/2366 |
100.00% 1142nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
95.54% 1477th/1546 |
60.48% 941st/1556 |
- |
100.00% 1547th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
100.00% 4475th/4475 |
- |
90.11% 5692nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
55.78% 2556th/4582 |
39.31% 2030th/5164 |
48.26% 3529th/7313 |
30.20% 2254th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
56.93% 2268th/3984 |
35.06% 1573rd/4487 |
38.63% 2635th/6822 |
33.46% 2100th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Isobel"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Isobel" 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.