How to say it
IS · a · bel
ˈɪz.ə.bɛl
Feminine
Isabel
God is my oath
What it means
Medieval Spanish and Portuguese form of Elizabeth, from Hebrew Elisheva. Queen Isabella of Castile (Spanish Isabel) is the historical anchor; the modern Bella tree all leads back to here.
Isabel is the medieval Spanish and Portuguese form of Elizabeth, which traveled through Provence to England and back across Europe in different spellings (Isabel in Spanish, Isabella in Italian, Isabelle in French). Queen Isabel I of Castile (Spanish: Isabel la Católica, 1451-1504) co-ruled with Ferdinand of Aragon, completed the Reconquista, and funded Columbus. The English Isabel has been in use since the medieval period. Common shorts: Bella, Belle, Izzy, Sabel. The name is often given alongside Isabella (Italian) and Isabelle (French), the same name, different spelling traditions.
How to spell Isabel
The standard spelling is Isabel. Common variants include Isabella, Isabelle, Isobel, but Isabel is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #83 in 2003, currently #177 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Isabel (Spanish/Portuguese), Isabella (Italian), Isabelle (French), and Isobel (Scottish) are all the same name in different traditions. Isabel reads slightly more European than Isabella in US contexts.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Queen Isabel I of Castile Co-ruled Spain with Ferdinand of Aragon, funded Columbus's 1492 voyage
- Isabel Allende Chilean-American novelist, The House of the Spirits
Spelling variants
- Isabella
- Isabelle
- Isobel
Names with the same feeling
See Isabel from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Isabel mean?
- Medieval Spanish and Portuguese form of Elizabeth, from Hebrew Elisheva. Queen Isabella of Castile (Spanish Isabel) is the historical anchor; the modern Bella tree all leads back to here.
- What does Isabel mean in Spanish?
- In Spanish, Isabel means "God is my oath." Isabel is the medieval Spanish and Portuguese form of Elizabeth, which traveled through Provence to England and back across Europe in different spellings (Isabel in Spanish, Isabella in Italian, Isabelle in French). Queen Isabel I of Castile (Spanish: Isabel la Católica, 1451-1504) co-ruled with Ferdinand of Aragon, completed the Reconquista, and funded Columbus. The English Isabel has been in use since the medieval period. Common shorts: Bella, Belle, Izzy, Sabel. The name is often given alongside Isabella (Italian) and Isabelle (French), the same name, different spelling traditions.
- How do you pronounce Isabel?
- Isabel is pronounced ˈɪz.ə.bɛl. Say it as IS-a-bel, with the stress on the "is" syllable.
- How do you spell Isabel?
- The standard spelling is Isabel. Common spelling variants include Isabella, Isabelle, Isobel.
- Is Isabel a boy or girl name?
- Isabel is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Isabel?
- Isabel ranked #177 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.