Origin, Meaning, And History Of Isabella
Isabella is the Italian and Spanish derivation of the English name Elizabeth, which in turn was inspired by the Hebrew name Elisheba or Elisheva. Elisheba means “consecrated or devoted to God.” It could also mean “God is my oath” or “pledged to God.” Elisheba appears in ancient Jewish texts and is the wife of the high priest, Aaron (1). She is the mother of four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. She appears in Exodus.
Isabella is a variation of the name Isabel which is also a variation of Elizabeth. The Scottish name Isobel and the Italian and French Isabelle are other popular variations. The shorter name, Isa, is derived from Isabella and means “salvation of God.” It is a gender-neutral name and is often used in Islam too.
There are newer and trendier alternatives for Isabella, including Sabella, Zabel, Izabella, and Isabetta. The French often use ‘Y’ in place of ‘I’ to form Ysabella. Isabella has several nicknames, the most common being Izzy and Bella.
Isabella was quite popular in the Middle Ages. Many European royal families adopted this name, and several well-known princesses and queens go by Isabella. WIlliam Shakespeare also used the name Isabella in his play Measure for Measure.
In the later years, the name dropped from popularity. In 2009, there was a surge in the name’s popularity due to the Twilight series in which the main character’s name was Isabella “Bella” Swan. After that, it has become one of the most popular names across Europe and America. One of the reasons for the name Isabella’s popularity is that it sounds both like a royal name and a name that can look good on screen. It has a global appeal and allows more fluidity in international travel.
Isabella is one of the names that has seen dramatic growth in popularity in the past few years. It is a name that sounds modern, classy, and trendy.
Isabella
How To Pronounce Isabella?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Isabella in Sabella.
Famous People With The Name Isabella
- Isabella RosselliniItalian-American actress, philanthropist, model, and author
- Isabella BirdBritish explorer, writer, naturalist, and photographer
- Bella Hadid (Isabella Khairiah Hadid)American model who has made 27 appearances on Vogue covers
- Isabella AcresAmerican stage and TV actress who appeared in the series Better Off Ted as Rose Crisp
- Isabella CampbellCountess Cawdor, former editor of the British Vogue, stylist, and interior decorator
Isabella On The Popularity Chart
Isabella is a classic name but has had quite dramatic peaks and valleys over the years. Find out how Isabella performs on the popularity charts.
Popularity Over Time
Not many names have seen the dramatic rise and fall in popularity as Isabella has. While it was quite a crowd favorite in the Middle Ages, it gradually became less and less popular as the years advanced. In 1980, only 38 babies per million were named Isabella. However, in 2010, thanks to the Twilight series, the popularity of this name skyrocketed all over the world. In America, Isabella was the top choice for girl names with nearly 20,000 babies per million named Isabella.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
In 1980, the name Isabella was ranked at 2,501. It dropped even further subsequently achieving the rank of 2,805 in 2003. However, in 2010, the name Isabella had an unprecedented comeback and ranked 1st in the United States of America.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Isabella
If you love this name but are looking for another name with a different meaning, you may consider these names.
Popular Sibling Names For Isabella
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Isabella, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Isabella
Find matching brother names for Isabella and create a wonderful team of siblings.
AesoburneAesop Ahzab Asapurna Asbagh Asbat Asbel Asbiom Asbjorn Asbury Girl Sibling Names For Isabella
Looking for some suitable sister names for Isabella? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
EsabellEsabella Isabel Isabela Isabelle Isabelly Izabel Izabela Izabella Ysabella Other Popular Names Beginning With I
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter I to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Same Meaning As Isabella
Isabella means “devoted to God.” Here are some names that also mean the same.
Infographic: Know The Name Isabella‘s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
How To Communicate The Name Isabella In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
isabella
In Sign Language
isabella
In Braille Alphabet
isabella
In Morse Code
isabella
Name Numerology For Isabella
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Isabella?
The name Isabella means ‘God is my oath.’
2. What is the origin of the name Isabella?
Isabella has a Hebrew origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Isabella?
Isabella is pronounced as ‘ee-sah-beh-lah.’
4. Is Isabella a popular baby name?
Isabella has been gaining popularity, most likely since 1994. The name peaked in 2010 when the US Social Security Administration recorded 22,292 babies sharing the name, raising it to the US’s top most favored baby girl name. The name has since continued to maintain its popularity (1).
5. Is Isabella mentioned in the Bible?
Isabella does not appear in the Bible per se. However, it is a derivation of Elizabeth which comes from the Hebrew name Elisheba or Elisheva. Elisheba is mentioned in the Bible’s Old Testament as the wife of Aaron, the high priest, while Elizabeth is a well-known figure in the Bible as the mother of John the Baptist (2).
References:
- Popularity of name Isabella;
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/ - The Women of Exodus;
https://saltlakebiblecollege.org/library/Lib%20W/Women%20of%20Exodus/womenofexodus6.html
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
