Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lise
GirlDanish, French· “short form of Elisabeth”
- Meaning
- short form of Elisabeth
- Origin
- Danish, French
- Pronunciation
- LEEZ
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #819 (1959)
- Peak year
- 1959
Meaning and origin of Lise
Lise is a Danish and French name that means “short form of Elisabeth”.
Lise is a short form of Elisabeth used in Danish, Norwegian, German and French. Elisabeth comes from the Hebrew Elisheba, usually translated my God is an oath. Lise Meitner, the Austrian physicist who helped explain nuclear fission, carried the name, and it has long been an everyday name in Denmark and Norway. In French it is said LEEZ, while in Danish and German it is closer to LEE-suh. English speakers usually use LEEZ. Lisette and Lisa are related forms. The name is short, simple and European, and it works well as a quiet alternative to Lisa.
Popularity over time
Lise first appears in US Social Security records in 1922. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 10 different years, starting in 1952. Its best national rank was #819 in 1959, the same year it reached its highest count of 157 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #1,513 in 1950, #4,645 in 1980, and #16,150 in 2010. Of the 2,791 US girls named Lise since records began, 39% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 1,006 babies. Since 2010, 33 more have been named Lise.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Joellen, Lita, Beckie, Bev, and Tambra.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lise is usually pronounced LEEZ, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-se”.
Middle names for Lise
A few middle names that flow with Lise: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lise
Similar names
Denise Girl
dih-NEES
“of Dionysus” · French
#1,677
Brianne Girl
bree-AN
“feminine of Brian, perhaps 'high, noble'” · Irish
#5,267
Reese Girl
REES
“ardor, enthusiasm” · Welsh
#192
Rose Girl
ROHZ
“the rose flower” · Latin
#114
Elise Girl
uh-LEES
“short for Elisabeth, 'my God is an oath'” · French
#223
Eloise Girl
EL-oh-eez
“uncertain; possibly healthy and wide” · French
#49
Anne Girl
AN
“grace, favor” · French
#619
Elyse Girl
ih-LEES
“form of Elise, from Elisabeth” · French
#918
Lea Girl
LEE
“form of Leah, meaning uncertain” · French
#848
Faye Girl
FAY
“fairy” · English
#515
Louise Girl
loo-EEZ
“famous warrior” · French
#516
Saoirse Girl
SEER-shuh
“freedom” · Irish
#1,089
Lists that include Lise
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lise mean?
Lise is a Danish and French name that means “short form of Elisabeth”.
What is the origin of the name Lise?
Lise has Danish, French, and Hebrew roots. Lise is a short form of Elisabeth used in Danish, Norwegian, German and French.
Is Lise a popular name?
No. Lise was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Lise a boy or girl name?
Lise is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lise?
Lise is usually pronounced LEEZ. 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