Declining since 2008, #5,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Gisella since 1895
Babies named Gisella per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 6 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 35 |
| 1920s | 29 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 66 |
| 1970s | 109 |
| 1980s | 68 |
| 1990s | 186 |
| 2000s | 468 |
| 2010s | 382 |
| 2020s | 174 |
Meaning & origin
Gisella is a feminine given name of Germanic origin, meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage.' It first appeared on the U.S. baby name charts in 1895, but it remained relatively rare for most of the 20th century. The name reached its peak popularity in 2009, when it was the 5,917th most common name, with a 1 in 80,363 chance of being used. Since 2008, its usage has been gradually declining, reflecting a broader trend away from less common Germanic names. Despite its decline, Gisella remains a recognizable variant of the more familiar Giselle, offering a slightly more distinctive spelling while retaining the same elegant sound.
Gisella is a feminine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the element *gisil* meaning "pledge" or "hostage." It is related to the Old High German name Gisela, which was common among European royalty, including the wife of Charlemagne and several medieval saints. The name entered English usage in the 19th century and has seen periodic popularity, particularly in the United States during the 2000s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Giselle, Gigi, Ella
Sibling names for Gisella
Names that share Gisella's style, for a brother or sister.
