To learn the meaning of Isabella, first we need to look at the name Elizabeth. The name Isabella is the Italian and Spanish versions of the name Elizabeth.
Elizabeth derives from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning ‘God is my oath’. As a European version of the name Elizabeth, Isabella also means either ‘God is my oath’ or ‘devoted to God’.
Both Isabella and Elizabeth are predominantly used as names for baby girls. The variation Isa can be used for either boys or girls.
- Isabella Name Origin: Spanish/Italian
- Isabella Name Meaning: God is my oath or devoted to God.
- Pronunciation: Iz – Uh – Bel – Uh
- Gender: Female
How Popular is the Name Isabella?
Isabella saw some popularity during the first half of the 20th century but the name fell dramatically in the popularity rankings after 1948. By 1998, Isabella had made a comeback and entered the top 100.
Isabella was the most popular girl’s name in the US in both 2009 and 2010 and SSA data shows that it remains in the top 10 today. When the name hit the top spot, the Twilight saga was a cultural phenomenon and the main character was called Bella Swan. The vampire romance books are thought to be responsible for the name’s increase in popularity.
Variations of the Name Isabella
If you like Isabella but want something a little different for your baby, here are some variations to try.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Sabella | God’s promise | Latin |
| Isabelle | Pledged to God | French |
| Elisheba | God is my oath | Hebrew |
| Isabel | Pledged to God | Spanish |
| Izabella | God’s promise | Italian |
| Ysabel | Concentrated by God | french |
| Ysabella | God’s promise | Hebrew |
Other Amazing Spanish and Italian Girls Names
If Isabella isn’t the name you have been looking for, perhaps one of these other girls’ names with Spanish and Italian origins is the one you have been looking for.
| Name | Meaning |
| Valeria | Strong |
| Mariana | Related to the God of Mars |
| Camila | Priest helper |
| Valentina | Strong and healthy |
| Alessia | Defender and warrior |
| Alice | Of a noble look |
| Angela | God’s messenger |
Alternative Girls Names Starting with ‘I’
Perhaps you really want to give your baby a name that starts with ‘I’, why not try one of these?
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Iris | Rainbow | Greek |
| Ivy | Vine | Latin |
| Isla | Island | Scottish |
| Idina | Rich and prosperous friend | English |
| Imogen | Maiden | Celtic |
| Indigo | From India | Greek |
| Ivory | Pale white | English |
Famous People Named Isabella
Isabella is a name that has been used separately to Elizabeth for hundreds of years. There have been several famous women called Isabella in history, here is a list of some of the most well known people with this name:
- Isabella Rossellini – Italian actress, filmmaker, and model
- Isabella Hofmann – American actress
- Isabella of Portugal – Roman Empress and Queen of Spain
- Isabella Swan – Fictional character from the Twilight saga, written by American author Stephanie Meyer
- Bella Hadid – American model