"God is my oath"
Origin: Hebrew via Germanic
Language: German
Ilse
Pronunciation: [ IHLS ]
Does Ilse flow with your last name?
A European gem — the sophisticated cousin of Elsa
German
Dutch
Scandinavian
South African
Vintage
Elegant
Classic
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Ilse
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"my God is abundance"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Dutch
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The Story of Ilse
Ilse is the Low German and Dutch diminutive form of Elisabeth, which comes from the Hebrew 'Elisheba,' meaning 'God is my oath' or 'my God is abundance.' The name evolved through centuries of Germanic linguistic development: Elisabeth → Elise → Else → Ilse. It has been a common name in Germany, the Netherlands, and South Africa (among Afrikaans speakers) for generations.
Ilse was widely popular in German-speaking countries in the early-to-mid 20th century. It remains well-known there and in the Afrikaner community of South Africa. In English-speaking countries, it's gaining notice as vintage European names become fashionable.
In Afrikaner culture, Ilse is a deeply familiar name. In Germany, it evokes mid-century charm. The name Ilsa is also famous from the film Casablanca (1942), where Ingrid Bergman's character Ilsa Lund became one of cinema's most beloved heroines.
Historical Record
Ilse first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 2,128 babies have been named Ilse in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ilse is past its peak , currently ranked #5,017 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ilse is the Afrikaans form of Elisabeth and has been enormously popular in South Africa for over a century
- Ingrid Bergman's character Ilsa in Casablanca (1942) made this Germanic variant internationally recognized
Ilse in Other Languages
Dutch
Ilse
Danish
Ilse
German
Ilse
Swedish
Ilse
Afrikaans
Ilse
Popularity Over Time
#5,017
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1994
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ilse
I
Ilse Werner
Entertainer
1921
German actress and singer who was one of the most popular entertainers in Germany during World War II
I
Ilse Koch
Military
1906
Infamous Nazi war criminal, noted only as a significant historical negative association with the name
I
Ilsa Lund Fictional
Other
Ingrid Bergman's iconic character in Casablanca (1942), one of cinema's most memorable heroines
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,017
- Total SSA Count
- 27
- Cultural Origins
- German Dutch Scandinavian South African
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Il
Ilsy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, classic style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, vintage style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, German heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, Scandinavian heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ilse
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ilse
What does the name Ilse mean?
"God is my oath" (from Hebrew via Germanic). "my God is abundance" (from Hebrew). Ilse is the Low German and Dutch diminutive form of Elisabeth, which comes from the Hebrew 'Elisheba,' meaning 'God is my oath' or 'my God is abundance.' The name evolved through centuries of Germanic linguistic development: Elisabeth → Elise → Else → Ilse. It has been a common name in Germany, the Netherlands, and South Africa (among Afrikaans speakers) for generations.
What is the origin of the name Ilse?
Ilse has Hebrew via Germanic, Hebrew, German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and South African origins. In Hebrew via Germanic, it means "God is my oath". In Hebrew, it means "my God is abundance".
Is Ilse a boy or girl name?
Ilse is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ilse?
Ilse is pronounced IHLS.
How popular is the name Ilse?
Ilse is currently ranked #5017 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ilse?
Common nicknames for Ilse include Ilsy.
What are good middle names for Ilse?
Popular middle name pairings include Ilse Marie, Ilse Louise, Ilse Anne, Ilse Sophie, Ilse Katrine, Ilse Renate, and Ilse Britt.
What are good sibling names for Ilse?
Names that pair well with Ilse as siblings include Liesel, Klaus, Greta, Hans, Heike, Friedrich, and Astrid.
How many syllables does Ilse have?
Ilse has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ilse a common or rare name?
Ilse is an uncommon name, ranked #5017 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Ilse
Ilse is a girl name with German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and South African origins . The name means "God is my oath" in Hebrew via Germanic .
Ilse is currently ranked #5,017 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ilse has 2 syllables and is pronounced IHLS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ilse include Il and Ilsy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis