Isabel
Isabel was the 177th most popular name for girls in 2025, given to 1,746 babies. Its best year was 2003, when it ranked 83rd; the most babies were born in 2006 (4,009). Over the last ten years it has moved down 28 places. More babies were named Isabel in the 2000s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Isabelle) my God is an oath (French form of Isabel/Elizabeth) · French, Spanish, Hebrew
- Rank in 2025
- #177 girls, down 20 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 1,746girls
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a girl’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 20064,009 babies
- Total since 1880
- 133,977babies recorded
What does the name Isabel mean?
Isabel is a spelling of Isabelle, pronounced the same way, so it shares Isabelle's meaning and origin.
Isabelle is the French form of Isabel, which began in medieval Spain and southern France as a form of Elizabeth; DMNES traces Isabel to Old Provençal Elisabel. Elizabeth goes back to Hebrew Elisheva, 'my God is an oath'. Wikipedia notes that Isabel became popular in England in the 13th century after the marriage of Isabella of Angoulême to King John. Isabella, Isobel and Izabelle are related forms.
Elisabel (Old Provençal, “Elizabeth”)אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Biblical Hebrew, “Elisheva, my God is an oath”)
How sure is this? Well established.
Related names: Isabel, Isabella, Isobel, Elizabeth, Belle, Izzy.
See also: Hebrew names, names that mean God.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Isabelle', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Isabel', Durham University / The DMNES Editors
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Elizabeth', Durham University / The DMNES Editors
- Wikipedia, 'Isabel', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
Isabel popularity since 1880
A few boys are given the name too: 1,827 since 1904.
| Year | Rank (girls) | Babies (girls) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #177 | 1,746 |
| 2020 | #157 | 1,771 |
| 2010 | #116 | 2,658 |
| 2000 | #94 | 3,448 |
| 1990 | #339 | 785 |
| 1980 | #435 | 496 |
| 1970 | #483 | 415 |
| 1960 | #492 | 391 |
| 1950 | #421 | 362 |
| 1940 | #360 | 328 |
| 1930 | #257 | 595 |
| 1920 | #199 | 992 |
| 1910 | #176 | 389 |
| 1900 | #185 | 286 |
| 1890 | #186 | 160 |
| 1880 | #161 | 81 |
How popular is Isabel, counting every spelling?
Isabel is a spelling of Isabelle, a name family that ranked #76 for girls in 2025 once every spelling is counted together, compared with #177 for Isabel on its own. Together these spellings went to 3,708 girls in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isabelle | 1,825 | #166 | 9,906 |
| Isabel | 1,746 | #177 | 9,100 |
| Izabel | 47 | #3,313 | 396 |
| Izabelle | 69 | #2,555 | 389 |
| Izabell | 14 | #7,640 | 77 |
| Izzabelle | 7 | #12,428 | 38 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How many kids will share the name Isabel?
1,746 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Isabel (0.48 per 1,000 births). For a girl named Isabel born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 5 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Isabel.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Isabel?
About 102,600 people born in the US named Isabel are alive today, with a median age of 22; half are between 13 and 29. That makes Isabel mostly worn by children and young adults.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Isabel by state
How common Isabel was among girls born in each state in 2021–2025. It is notably more common than nationally in District of Columbia (3.3×), South Dakota (2.2×), Massachusetts (2.0×), Oregon (1.9×), New Mexico (1.9×). It is least common, relative to the national rate, in Mississippi, Alaska, Kentucky.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Isabel: their share of US girls followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Isabel, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Isabel
What does Isabel mean?
Isabel is a spelling of Isabelle, which means “my God is an oath (French form of Isabel/Elizabeth)” (French, Spanish, Hebrew origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Isabel?
Isabel was the 177th most popular name for girls in 2025, given to 1,746 babies. Its best year was 2003, when it ranked 83rd; the most babies were born in 2006 (4,009). Over the last ten years it has moved down 28 places. More babies were named Isabel in the 2000s than in any other decade.
Is Isabel a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a girl’s name given the name Isabel in the US.
Where is Isabel most popular?
In 2021–2025, Isabel was most common in District of Columbia (3.71 per 1,000 girls), followed by South Dakota and Massachusetts.