Isabella

Pronunciation: [ ihz-uhb-EHL-uh ]

Girl Name #7 Most Popular Steady 4 Syllables

A queen's name that shaped the modern world

Italian Spanish English

Royal Classic Elegant Romantic

Meaning & Origin

"God is my oath"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

"devoted to God"

Origin: Medieval Latin interpretation

Language: Latin

Things to Know About This Name

Strongly associated with Twilight's protagonist Bella Swan since 2005; some parents love this connection, others prefer to avoid it

The Story of Isabella

Isabella is a medieval Latinate form of Elizabeth, which derives from the Hebrew 'Elisheba' meaning 'God is my oath' or 'God is my abundance.' Spread through Spain and Italy during the Middle Ages, it was borne by several queens — most notably Isabella I of Castile, who sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Americas in 1492. The name carries one of history's most consequential royal legacies.

Isabella was the #1 girl's name in the US from 2009 to 2011, largely driven by the phenomenal success of the Twilight saga — protagonist Bella Swan's full name is Isabella. It has remained in the top 5 ever since, a testament to the name's beauty independent of its pop culture boost.

Queen Isabella I of Castile (1451-1504) was one of the most powerful monarchs in history, unifying Spain and funding Columbus's voyage. Her name became synonymous with royal power across the Spanish-speaking world. In Renaissance art, 'Isabella color' — a pale yellow-white — was named in her honor.

Fun Facts

Queen Isabella I of Castile funded Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage that led to European contact with the Americas
The Twilight saga's Bella Swan — full name Isabella — propelled this name to #1 in 2009
Isabella and Elizabeth share the same Hebrew root, making them linguistic sisters separated by centuries of evolution

Isabella in Other Languages

French Isabelle

German Isabella

Italian Isabella

Spanish Isabel

Portuguese Isabel

Famous People Named Isabella

Isabella Rossellini

Actor

1952

Italian actress and model, daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini

Isabella Bird

Writer

1831

British explorer and travel writer, first woman inducted into the Royal Geographical Society

Isabella I of Castile

Royalty

1451

Queen of Castile who unified Spain and sponsored Columbus's 1492 voyage

Bella Swan Fictional

Other

Protagonist of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga, full name Isabella Swan

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 4
Popularity Rank: #7
Total SSA Count: 10,770
Cultural Origins: Italian Spanish English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Isabel #167 Isabelle #171 Isabela #644 Isabell #2297

Common Nicknames

Bella Izzy Isa Belle

Pairs Well With

Isabella Rose Isabella Grace Isabella Marie Isabella Anne Isabella Claire Isabella Louise Isabella Faith

Sibling Names

Sophia Olivia Charlotte Lucas Sebastian Mateo Gabriel

Also a Boy Name

Isabella is also used as a boy name, ranked #15486.

View Isabella as a boy name →

Similar Names

Eliza Louella Adella Priscilla Rosella Elisabeth Annabel Abigail

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Isabella

What does the name Isabella mean?

"God is my oath" (from Hebrew). "devoted to God" (from Medieval Latin interpretation). Isabella is a medieval Latinate form of Elizabeth, which derives from the Hebrew 'Elisheba' meaning 'God is my oath' or 'God is my abundance.' Spread through Spain and Italy during the Middle Ages, it was borne by several queens — most notably Isabella I of Castile, who sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Americas in 1492. The name carries one of history's most consequential royal legacies.

What is the origin of the name Isabella?

Isabella has Hebrew, Medieval Latin interpretation, Italian, Spanish, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "God is my oath". In Medieval Latin interpretation, it means "devoted to God".

Is Isabella a boy or girl name?

Isabella is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #7. As a boy name, it is ranked #15486. Isabella is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Isabella?

Isabella is pronounced ihz-uhb-EHL-uh.

How popular is the name Isabella?

Isabella is currently ranked #7 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Isabella?

Common nicknames for Isabella include Bella, Izzy, Isa, and Belle.

What are good middle names for Isabella?

Popular middle name pairings include Isabella Rose, Isabella Grace, Isabella Marie, Isabella Anne, Isabella Claire, Isabella Louise, and Isabella Faith.

What are good sibling names for Isabella?

Names that pair well with Isabella as siblings include Sophia, Olivia, Charlotte, Lucas, Sebastian, Mateo, and Gabriel.

How many syllables does Isabella have?

Isabella has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Isabella a common or rare name?

Isabella is a very popular name, ranked #7 among girl names in the United States.

About the Name Isabella

Isabella is a girl name with Italian, Spanish, and English origins . The name means "God is my oath" in Hebrew .

Is Isabella a boy or girl name? Isabella is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #7 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #15,486. Isabella is more commonly used as a girl name.