Isabel Name Meaning

Leah Campbell
·2 min read

Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Isabel.

Fact checked by Elizabeth BrownfieldFact checked by Elizabeth Brownfield

The name Isabel has Spanish, Hebrew, and French origins. It has a long list of variations and meanings including “pledged to God,” "God is perfection," and "God is my oath." When shortened to Belle, it also means "beautiful" in several different languages. It's thought to be derived from the name Elizabeth, which was originally written as Elisabel in Europe in the Middle Ages.



  • Origin: The name Isabel has Spanish, Hebrew, and French origins.

  • Gender: Isabel is typically considered a girl's name.

  • Pronunciation: ee-sa-BEHL (Spanish), iz-uh-bel (English), EE-ZA-BEHL (French)





Editor's Note

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.



How Popular Is the Name Isabel?

Isabel is a beautiful name that is common enough to be easily recognized, but without being so popular that your Isabel will have a lot of friends with the same name.

This name saw its most popular streak in the United States in the 2000s. It broke into the top 100 most popular names for girls list for the first time since at least 1900 in 1999, when it ranked 97th. The name reached its highest spot at No. 83 in 2003. In 2023, Isabel ranked No. 164 in popularity and was given to 1,743 babies that year.

Name Variations

Variations of the name Isabel are:

Similar Names

Other girl names with Spanish origins include:

  • Catalina

  • Emilia

  • Elena

  • Julieta

  • Lucia

  • Luciana

  • Martina

  • Sofia

  • Violeta

Other names that start with "I" include:

  • Imani

  • Imogen

  • Ingrid

  • Ilrid

  • Ilsa

  • Iris

  • Isla

  • Ivy

Common Nicknames for Isabel

Some great nickname options for Isabel include:

  • Belle

  • Bella

  • Isa

  • Izzy

Suggested Sibling Names

Looking for a name to pair with Isabel? Check out some options:

  • Adele

  • Antonia

  • Benjamin

  • Catalina

  • Charlie

  • Dorothy

  • Edmund

  • Elena

  • Emilia

  • Ethel

  • Julieta

  • Liam

  • Lucas

  • Mateo

  • Michael

  • Santiago

  • Savannah

  • Violet

  • Wallace

  • William

Famous People Named Isabel

Here are some famous people who share the name Isabel:

  • Isabel Allende, Chilean-American writer whose works include The House of the Spirits and City of the Beasts

  • Isabel Hodgins, English actress

  • Isabel Lucas, Australian actress, environmentalist, and model

  • Isabel Macedo, Argentine actress and singer

  • Isabel Sanford, American actress and comedian who played Louise "Weezy" Mills Jefferson on All in the Family and The Jeffersons

  • Isabel Leonard, American mezzo-soprano opera singer



More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:



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Read the original article on Parents.

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