Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Isabella
GirlSpanish, Italian· “God is my oath”
- Meaning
- God is my oath
- Origin
- Spanish, Italian
- Pronunciation
- ih-zuh-BEH-luh
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #7
- US babies 2025
- 10,666
- Best rank
- #1 (2009)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Isabella
Isabella is a Spanish and Italian name that means “God is my oath”.
Isabella developed as a Spanish and Italian form of Elizabeth, which goes back to the Hebrew Elisheba, "my God is an oath". Medieval and Renaissance queens carried it across Europe: Isabella of France married Edward II of England, and Isabella I of Castile, with her husband Ferdinand, sponsored the voyage of Columbus in 1492. Shakespeare used the name for the principled heroine of Measure for Measure. It kept an aristocratic, romantic air for centuries and then became a major favorite with modern American parents. Isabella has four musical syllables and plenty of short forms, including Bella, Izzy and Isa. It suits families who want a classic with a Mediterranean flavor.
Popularity over time
Isabella has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 105 different years. Its best national rank was #1 in 2009, and the most babies received it in 2010, when 22,936 were named Isabella. In 2025, 10,666 babies were named Isabella, and it ranked #7 nationally. That is 32% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #420 in 1920, #1,243 in 1950, #2,620 in 1980, #45 in 2000, #1 in 2010, and #7 in 2025. Of the 417,001 US girls named Isabella since records began, 41% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 149,571 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Chloe, Ella, and Lily.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Isabella ranked highest in Texas, Florida, and Delaware.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Isabella is usually pronounced ih-zuh-BEH-luh, with four syllables. It has eight letters, starts with I and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Isabella
A few middle names that flow with Isabella: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Isabella
Similar names
Elizabeth Girl
ih-LIH-zuh-buhth
“my God is an oath” · Hebrew
#17
Gabriella Girl
gab-ree-EL-uh
“God is my strength” · Italian
#105
Emilia Girl
ih-MEE-lee-uh
“rival; from a Roman family name” · Latin
#45
Liliana Girl
lih-lee-AH-nuh
“lily; also from Elizabeth” · Italian
#78
Daniela Girl
dan-YEH-luh
“God is my judge” · Spanish
#302
Gabriela Girl
gah-bree-EL-uh
“God is my strength” · Spanish
#317
Izabella Girl
iz-uh-BEL-uh
“God is my oath” · Spanish
#564
Camilla Girl
kuh-MIH-luh
“from a Roman family name, perhaps 'young attendant'” · Latin
#361
Annabella Girl
a-nuh-BEH-luh
“combination of Anna and Bella” · Italian
#1,352
Antonella Girl
an-tuh-NEH-luh
“diminutive of Antonia” · Italian
#284
Perla Girl
PUR-luh
“pearl” · Spanish
#1,590
Anabella Girl
an-uh-BEHL-uh
“variant of Annabella” · English
#2,258
Lists that include Isabella
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Isabella mean?
Isabella is a Spanish and Italian name that means “God is my oath”.
What is the origin of the name Isabella?
Isabella has Spanish, Italian, and Hebrew roots. Isabella developed as a Spanish and Italian form of Elizabeth, which goes back to the Hebrew Elisheba, "my God is an oath".
Is Isabella a popular name?
Yes. Isabella ranked #7 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Isabella a boy or girl name?
Isabella is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Isabella?
Isabella is usually pronounced ih-zuh-BEH-luh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings