Updated on July 05, 2021
Fact checked byNicholas Blackmer
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How Popular Is the Name Isabella?
Name Variations
Similar Names
Common Nicknames
Suggested Sibling Names
Famous People Named Isabella
Isabella is the Spanish and Italian variation of Elizabeth, which is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba. Its meaning translates to "God is my oath." Isabella and Elizabeth have been interchanged in England since the 13th century.
- Origin: Isabella is the Spanish and Italian variation of the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning "God is my oath."
- Gender: Isabella is frequently used as a girl name. The variation Isa (meaning "salvation of God) is a gender-neutral option used for boys and girls.
- Pronunciation: Is-ah-bell-ah
Although many baby names are separated by gender, Verywell Family 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 Isabella?
Isabella was moderately popular during the first half of the 20th century until its ranking plummeted in the 1940s. It was a fairly rare until 1990 when it began to be used more widely again. In 1998, it broke into the top 100 names in the U.S.
In 2004, it made the top 10, and was the runner-up from 2007 to 2008 before claiming the number one spot in 2009. Isabella's victorious transition to the top position coincided with the release of the movie "Twilight," which featured main character Bella Swan. (Coincidence? Probably not!)
The name reigned supreme until 2011, when it took second place to Sophia. Isabella remained in the top 5 until 2019. As of 2020, the Social Security Administration has Isabella as the 7th most popular name.
Name Variations
Here are some variations of the name Isabella:
- Elizabeth (Hebrew)
- Elisheba (Hebrew)
- Sabella (Latin)
- Isabel (Spanish)
- Isabele (Hebrew)
- Isabelita (Hebrew)
- Isabelle (French)
- Isobell (Hebrew)
- Izabella (Italian)
- Isobelle (Hebrew)
- Izabelle (Hebrew)
- Ysabell (French)
- Ysabella (Hebrew)
- Ysabelle (French)
- Ysbella (French)
- Ysabel (French)
Similar Names
Other girl names ending in A:
- Sophia
- Olivia
- Mia
- Ava
- Gabriella
- Isadora
- Emma
- Anastasia
- Anna
- Ella
- Alexandra
- Amelia
- Aurora
- Maria
- Stella
- Alexa
- Julia
- Angelina
Other Italian names for girls:
- Gianna
- Vivianna
- Alessia
- Beatrice
- Carmella
- Aida
- Siena
- Nicole
Other Spanish names for girls:
- Savannah
- Isla
- Jade
- Liliana
- Lola
- Carmen
- Itzel
- Belen
Common Nicknames
- Bella: Think vibrant, strong, and energetic! Bella is full of personality, always laughing, and never afraid to speak their mind. The nickname was made massively popular by the character Bella Swan in the "Twilight "movie series.
- Izzy: This fun nickname suggests a free-spirited personality. They're unconventional, adventurous, and embraces change. Izzy is confident and sensible, and can usually be found enjoying the outdoors.
- Isa: Dependable and determined, Isa can do anything they sets their mind to. They're always willing to help others and genuinely aspires to make a difference in the world.
Suggested Sibling Names
Here are some popular options for siblings of Isabella:
- Annette
- Brielle
- Elisha
- Enzo
- Evelina
- Gabrielle
- Ivan
- Lillian
- Noah
- Scarlett
- Sebastian
- Walter
Famous People Named Isabella
While Isabella isn't the most common celebrity name, there are a few worth noting:
Famous Isabellas
- Isabella Rossellini, Italian actress, filmmaker, philanthropist, model, and author
- Isabella I of Castile, Spanish Queen of Castile from 1474 until her death in 1504
- Isabella of Portugal, Holy Roman Empress who governed as Regent of Spain
Famous Bellas
- Bella Thorne, American actress and model, known for her role as Ruthy Spivey in the TV drama, "My Own Worst Enemy"
- Bella Hadid, American model, and sister of the equally famous Gigi Hadid
More Baby Names
Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:
1 Source
Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Social Security Administration. Popular baby names.
By Alex Vance
Alex Vance is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from pregnancy and parenting to health and wellness. She is a former news and features writer for Moms.com and Blog Writer for The HOTH. Her motherhood-related pieces have been published on Scary Mommy, Motherhood Understood, and Thought Catalog.
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