Isabel Overview
- Meaning: Isabel means “pledged to God,” “my oath is God,” and “God is perfection” in Spanish, Hebrew, and French.
- Gender: Isabel is traditionally a girl’s name.
- Origin: Isabel’s roots are in Hebrew and Spanish dialects and connected to Elisabeth. It initially appeared as Elisabel, then evolved to Isabel in the Middle Ages, with the rise of regal namesakes.
- Pronunciation: Isabel is pronounced “IH-suh-bell” in America and “EE-sah-bell” in Europe.
- Popularity: Isabel is most famous in Europe and America, but it’s also sprinkled throughout the Middle East. It peaked in 2003, ranking #83 for girls in the U.S.
- Nicknames: Bell, Bella, Belle, Belly, Isa, Issy, Iz, Izzy, Sabby.
- Variations: Elisheba, Isabell, Isabella, Isabelle, Ishbel, Isobel, Izabel, Izabell, Izabelle, Ysabeau, Ysabelle.
- Namesakes: Isabel I, Queen of Castile. Isabel Lucas, Australian actress.
What Does Isabel Mean?
Isabel means “pledged to God,” “my oath is God,” and “God is perfection” in Spanish, Hebrew, and French. It is a variation of Elizabeth, a biblical title associated with John the Baptist’s mother. Many parents choose Isabel as a sign of their devotion to God and dedication to training their daughter in biblical concepts.
What Is the Origin of the Name Isabel?
Isabel’s roots are in Hebrew and Spanish dialects and are connected to Elisabeth. It initially appeared as Elisabel, then evolved to Isabel in the Middle Ages. Isabel’s suffix (“-bel”) means “pretty” and “beautiful,” making it a lovely option for your little lass. Isabel can also appear as Isabelle or Isobelle, depending on the locale. Like all variations of Isabelle, Isabel became widespread after the 13th-century King of England married Isabelle d’Angoulême.
How Popular Is the Name Isabel?
Isabel is famous in Europe, in part because of its regal namesake. You’ll also find Isabel sprinkled throughout the Middle East and America, where it remains an edgy alternative to Isabelle. Isabel landed on American name charts in 1900, though we suspect it was popular long before. It has remained in the top 200 U.S. girl names between 1996 and 2023 and peaked in 2003 at #83. With beauty and grace, Isabel will never go out of style.
How Do I Pronounce Isabel?
Isabel is pronounced “IH-suh-bell” in and “EE-sah-bell” in America and Europe.
Is Isabel a Boy or Girl Name?
Isabel is traditionally a girl’s name.
Variations of Isabel
Check out these cute variations of Isabel:
- Elisheba (Hebrew)
- Isabell (Hebrew, French)
- Isabella (Italian, Spanish)
- Isabelle (Hebrew, French)
- Ishbel (Scottish)
- Isobel (French, Hebrew)
- Izabel (Hebrew, French)
- Izabell (Hebrew, French)
- Izabelle (Hebrew, French)
- Ysabeau (Hebrew)
- Ysabelle (French)
Nicknames for Isabel
Try one of these fancy names for Isabel:
- Bell
- Bella
- Belle
- Belly
- Isa
- Issy
- Iz
- Izzy
- Sabby
Similar Names to Isabel
Get a load of these names similar to Isabel in origin, meaning, and pronunciation:
- Amabel
- Annabel
- Arabella
- Elisabeth
- Isabelita
- Isadora
- Jezebel
- Marisabel
- Maybell
- Meribel
- Sabella
- Ysolda
Middle Names for Isabel
These middle names for Isabel are the “bel” of the ball:
- Aria
- Avery
- Blake
- Brooke
- Catherine
- Chloe
- Diana
- Eve
- Evelynn
- Faith
- Grace
- Hope
- Ivy
- Jane
- Jo
- Kate
- Lee
- Lily
- Louise
- Mary
- Rae
- Sophia
Sibling Names for Isabel
Try one of these gorgeous sibling names for Isabel:
- Benjamin
- Charlie
- Cooper
- Elena
- Emily
- Evan
- Harper
- Henry
- Julian
- Katie
- Liam
- Lila
- Lucas
- Malachi
- Mateo
- Micah
- Rory
- Santiago
- Sophie
- Teddy
- Thomas
- Tori
Famous People Named Isabel
Learn more about famous people named Isabel.
- Isabel I: Queen of Castile.
- Isabel Allende: Chilean American author.
- Isabel Bayrakdarian: Armenian American opera singer.
- Isabel Briggs Meyers: American author and psychologist.
- Isabel Inês: Princess of Portugal.
- Isabel Lucas: Australian actress.
- Isabel Toledo: Cuban American fashion designer.
Isabel in Popular Culture
Keep an eye out for these references to Isabel in pop culture.
- Isabel: Hit song by Frank Turner.
- Isabel: Namesake song by The Wombats.
- Isabel: Featured in the movie “Stepmom.”
- Isabel: Minor character in the book “Esperanza Rising” by Pam Ryan.
- Isabel Archer: Featured in Henry James’ classic novel “Portrait of a Lady.”
- Isabel Conklin: Featured in “The Summer I Turned Pretty” books and movies.
- Isabel Evans: Mentioned in television’s “Rockwell.”
Isabel FAQs
Get answers to the most commonly asked questions about Isabel.
What Is Short for Isabel?
Isabel comes with a variety of beautiful nicknames that will appeal to a variety of styles. If you prefer edgier nicknames, you can call your daughter Izzy, Issy, Iz, or Is. If you’re into traditional nicknames, go with Belle, Bella, or Sabby. Aside from those options, you could call your girl Belly, Bell, or Isa.
Is Isabel a Biblical Name?
Isabel isn’t directly found in the Bible, but it’s taken from Elizabeth, a biblical figure. In the Bible, Elizabeth was Christ’s aunt and the mother of John the Baptist. Though Elizabeth wasn’t a prominent figure, she was the wife of a priest, Zechariah. It was miraculous that she could conceive as they were advanced in years.
Isabel also has biblical interpretations, meaning “God is my promise” and “pledged to God.” So, while Isabel isn’t technically a biblical title, many parents will treat it as such.
Is Elizabeth the Same Name as Isabel?
Elizabeth and Isabel are associated with one another but not necessarily the same. Elizabeth is a Hebrew title that dates back to biblical times, inspired by Elisheba. Isabel is the Spanish variation of Elisheba, which became popular in the 13th century. Elizabeth and Isabel have the same interpretation, but their prefixes and suffixes make them separate entities.
