I think Isabel is a gorgeous name. It is feminine, aesthetically pleasing, and rolls off the tongue smoother than velvet. It ages flawlessly, as I can picture the name on someone of any age. I also like the nickname potentials, such as “Izzy”, “Belle” and “Bella”. Overall, I think Isabel is a wonderful name.
I am originally from the Philippines and this name is a actually not a popular name anymore as it was during my mother's childhood. I think it is both good and bad as for one it is not overused but on the other hand it has been surpassed by names like Liza, Lisa, Lizzy, Elizabeth or even Isabella. Funny how names rise and fall in popularity. (Shrug)
― Anonymous User 1/17/2024
2
I much prefer Isabel to Isabella. Isabel appears more formal and adult, from my point of view. Isabella...not so much. Also, Isabel is not over saturated as Isabella is currently. In the Hispanic world, Isabel is considered quite timeless and harkens back to a charmingly evergreen appeal that few names can hold a candle to.
I very much prefer Isabella to Isabel. Isabella will be my daughter’s name. Isabella is a beautiful, feminine, and noble name. Isabel feels incomplete and short. It’s not bad but I would never give Isabel as a name.
Isabel Letham (1899 – 1995) was an Australian pioneer surfboard rider and swimming instructor, renowned as 'the first Australian to ride a surfboard' (although she disputed that claim - Isma Amor of Manly is believed to be the first Australian Female Surfer and Tommy Walker of Manly is believed to be the first Australian Male Surfer). A probably erroneous story has been repeated for years that on 10 January 1915 at Freshwater Beach, Sydney she experimented riding a board in the Hawaiian tradition in tandem with Duke Kahanamoku. This story has been disputed by researchers who have investigated its roots and provenance, and the reality is probably that she did not do so until shortly after, at Dee Why beach in Sydney, on 6 February 1915.
― Anonymous User 7/11/2023
2
Doña Isabel Moctezuma (born Tecuichpoch Ichcaxochitzin; 1509/1510 – 1550/1551) was a daughter of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II. She was the consort of Atlixcatzin, a tlacateccatl, and of the Aztec emperors Cuitlahuac, and Cuauhtemoc and as such the last Aztec empress. After the Spanish conquest, Doña Isabel was recognized as Moctezuma's legitimate heir, and became one of the indigenous Mexicans granted an encomienda. Among the others were her half-sister Marina (or Leonor) Moctezuma, and Juan Sánchez, an Indian governor in Oaxaca.
This is one of my top favorite names. It's pleasing to look at, and sounds so nice & flowing. Plus, it has some fun nickname options, like Bell or Isa. I've never met any Isabels, but I do know it's popular. Honestly, I don't see the negativity with popular names -- it's not like every single person in the world is named the same thing, and plus, there's some pretty good popular names out there. Just because it's popular doesn't mean it's a bad name! I think it's a great name. :)
My sister's name is Isabel and is older than me by two years. Being in her early twenties and having this name has posed some difficulties with people spelling her name as Isabelle and not Isabel. Overall she likes it even though she sometimes thinks it is a bit common for people of our age group. ┐( ̄ヘ ̄)┌.
― Anonymous User 5/18/2023
1
The name Isabel looks very elegant, regal and complete. The other most recent comment...not so much. A name that carries the weight of history in the Hispanophone world.
― Anonymous User 5/12/2023
3
This spelling looks incomplete. It also reminds me of "stable." It's not a very nice name anyway.
― Anonymous User 4/24/2023
-11
I prefer this spelling over Isabelle because I usually don't like long names.
In 2021, 5 baby girls received the name Isabel as a first name in Poland. 6 others got it as their middle name. There are no stats for 2022 available yet when it comes to baby names, but as of January 2022, there were 362 women with the first name Isabel in the whole Polish population.
― Anonymous User 1/6/2023
3
I feel that Isabel is a lovely name that offers a mature appearance in contrast to other variations of it. Overall, a good, well rounded name with a historic pedigree to boot.
― Anonymous User 11/22/2022
1
Terrible spelling terrible choice.
― Anonymous User 11/18/2022
-9
Isabel is common, overused & done. This is also the ugliest spelling variant. It does look butchered, spelling wise 👎🏽.
― Anonymous User 10/26/2022
-14
Not a fan of this. Why would you want to name your child "is a bell"? Like naming them "is a table" or any other random object. Just weird.
― Anonymous User 10/17/2022
-15
It's funny because my whole life I have loved the name Isabelle and any form of it. But your comment made me laugh a bit because you are absolutely right - it does sound like that.
― Anonymous User 10/26/2022, edited 10/26/2022
-4
The popularity of Isabel makes it a no-go for me. Just so many little Isabellas, Isabelles, Isabels, and Bellas out there. IMO, the different ending isn’t enough to set her apart from Isabella S, Isabella P, etc….
― Anonymous User 10/14/2022
-7
This is the Spanish version of Elizabeth. It is a common name in Spanish speaking countries.
― Anonymous User 10/11/2022
3
I like all forms of Isabelle and Isabel is one of them. Very pretty.
Isabel is a sweet, regal, and elegant name. Very beautiful. I like Isabelle as well. I definitely prefer it to Isabella. Familiar, but not horribly overused. Very good name Isabel is.
Hi, my name is Isabel.I used to dislike my name a lot when I was younger. I always thought it sounded too harsh and I preferred how my family pronounced it in Spanish. But I have been able to appreciate my name more since then… It is short, floaty in a way I can’t explain. I would get such a sour taste in my mouth when I heard people scoff my name in school when they teased me, but I have learned that almost any name can sound bad if seen in certain perspectives. I quite like my name now. I do use the nickname Isa, and it has always sounded quite tiny to me. I like it. I hope everyone has a point in their lives when they begin to appreciate their name. I have never met another Isabel with my spelling. However, I’ve met a few Isabella’s. I’ve also been called Isabella and had my name spelt wrong numerous times. I feel like a lot of parents don’t want their child’s name to be spelled incorrectly by many, but it’s also nice to have a unique name. I didn’t like the abrupt ending in my name either for so long, but it feels nice now.
Isabel Allende is a Chilean and American writer. Allende has been called "the world's most widely read Spanish-language author." In 2004, Allende was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and in 2010, she received Chile's National Literature Prize. President Barack Obama awarded her the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
I love the name Isabel. Even though it's been used among royalty in Spain it still looks much nicer and less pretentious than Isabelle or Isabella. It has a softer pronunciation on the S in Spanish but still pretty in English too.
I think it is a pretty name that is not too frilly or over the top in my judgment of it.
― Anonymous User 10/20/2021
3
Isabel is a very beautiful name, in my opinion. It sounds so soft yet undeniably strong at the same time. It rolls off the tongue with smooth perfection. This spelling is definitely my favorite. I love its length, six letters and three syllables. I also adore the beautiful meaning: “Pledged to God.” Overall, I think Isabel is a gorgeous name.
Very pretty name, and I actually like the spelling more than Isabelle, also way better name then Isabella.
― Anonymous User 8/29/2021
9
Isabel is not a very common name in the United States - at least, I've never met anyone called Isabel (with this spelling). I've met a couple girls / women Isabelle, but no Isabel (or Isobel). However, *Isabella* is a hugely popular name, which unfortunately makes Isabel sound a little tired just by association.Which is a shame, because I vastly prefer Isabel's elegant simplicity to the overly frilly Isabella.
I love the name Isabel and adore the nickname Isa.
― Anonymous User 3/19/2021
4
No, no no. This name has a harsh tone to it, and it looks incomplete. I much prefer Isabelle, or even Isabella over this.
― Anonymous User 3/3/2021
-16
Nope, uh-uh. I hate it! I knew a girl named Isabel who was SPOILED and BOSSY. I MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH prefer Isobel, Isabelle, Isabella, Isobelle, Isobella etc. I would NOT recommend this name for a baby girl. This is not cute, doesn't age well at all, and I just...despise it! Nope, please don't name a child Isabel, Please don't name a poor, precious, innocent, cute child this!
Lovely, lovely name. I always imagine someone with this name being friendly, interesting and quite outgoing. It's pretty without being seen as overly frilly or feminine, so it could suit anyone, especially with so many potential nicknames. While it's easily recognisable, here in northern England I've only ever met one Isabel, and no one with other variations of the name.
It's a nice name, better than Isabella. It's less popular, and it doesn't sound or look as immature and frilly as Isabella does. It's nicer and more mature overall.
I love Isabel, and Isadora. They're such beautiful, strong names. I really dislike Isabella and Isabelle, though. Isabel and Isadora have this sort of ethnic quality the other variants don't. I love the nickname Isa, which is probably my favorite, but Izzy is also really nice. Belle and Bella are eh. To me, Isabel is very Spanish, which is probably why I like it so much.
The Canadian musician Loreena MCKennit's full name is Loreena Isabel Irene MCKennitt.
― Anonymous User 8/12/2019
1
In July 2017, there were 260 women in Poland with the name Isabel. Last year (2018) 3 girls were given this name.
― Anonymous User 8/12/2019
1
Isabelka can be a Polish or Russian nickname for Isabel. Or spelled Isabelke, it could be a German and/or Yiddish version. Isabel has its roots in Hebrew, and like most Hebrew-rooted names, it's popular in many different countries. I like its universal nature, but not how popular it has become. Thanks Twilight moms.
Isabel Martínez de Perón, wife of Juan Peron, a member of the Judicialist and Argentina's first female president. Her birth name was María Estela Martínez Cartas.
― Anonymous User 1/8/2019
1
In 2018, 4 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Isabel who is registered female with the Social Security Administration. It is the 600th most common female first name for living U.S. citizens.
― Anonymous User 10/11/2018
3
Isabel is the name of Spanish language speech synthesizer produced by Scansoft.
― Anonymous User 10/4/2018
0
I can't decide which spelling I like more - Isabel, Isabella, or Isabelle, or maybe something else? :D I like them all and each one seems to have different advantages and a bit of a different feel. While Isabella seems very elegant and sophisticated, Isabel is too, but to me it seems more warm and dynamic, a bit stronger and less frilly, although I can't say that the name Isabella is too frilly for me, I like its girliness. I'd say that Isabel is a bit more energetic overall.
If my wife is named Isabel, would it be a stretch to name our daughter Elizabeth? I am conflicted.
― Anonymous User 3/31/2018
8
To anonymous user, no I don't think using Elizabeth if your wife's name is Isabel is too much. Most people don't even realize it's a translation of the same name. I honestly think that's a beautiful homage to your wife and shouldn't be that big of a deal. Both are fine names to have and most people really don't critique names on that level to even create that connection. This may have come a little late but if you want to name your daughter Elizabeth than it shouldn't be a problem. I personally thought it would be a nice mother and daughter name.
My name is Isabel. I love my name as it is reflective of my Hispanic culture/background. I also like the accent in Spanish rather than in English. When I was in school NO ONE had my name and that was a good thing. I was born and raised in Arkansas in 1990. Everyone was named Ashley, Kristen, Jessica etc.. there was always at least two in the classroom. The only issue I have is people constantly wanting to name their daughter Isabel as soon as they hear my name. My mom's co-workers heard my name when she would talk about me, and several co-workers through3out the years admit to naming their daughters after me once they heard the name. Also, when I was in school many pregnant teachers would come up to me and say, "I'm having a girl, I want to name my daughter Isabel because I think your name is so pretty." As well as male teachers who would say their wives were pregnant and want to name their daughter Isabel after they had seen my name. I found it kind of irritating to be told that a lot. Now, as an adult I am not told that as much as it might be a bit awkward maybe? It seems my name is not original anymore as it has been OVERUSED now (there are many variants being used now). It is kind of a petty thing to think, but nonetheless I still like my name. I have not met an Isabel among my peers, yet. *Also, side note, "Isabel" is the spelling so it is pronounced properly in Spanish. "IsabeLLE" is Americanized because when you say the the two "L's" they don't sound like a "Y" in English like it would in Spanish. In English they stay sounding like "L's". If you took Spanish, or know Spanish, this is obvious.
― Anonymous User 3/18/2018
5
Isabel is a sweet and elegant name, I like this spelling better than “Isabelle” or “Isabella” because first, Isabel is simple and original, second, Isabel looks somewhat more “balanced” than the two more popular spellings. It was also the name of a category 5 hurricane that hit North Carolina in 2003. Although tragic, the storm was a beautiful annular hurricane.
Isabel Burton (1831-1896) was the wife of English explorer Richard Francis Burton. She accompanied her husband on many of his travels and assisted him in his translations. She notably burned her husband's translation of The Scented Garden after his death because she thought it was too graphic to be published. Unfortunately, she was demonized by her husband's relatives (whose hatred of her stemmed from the fact that she was Catholic), who portrayed her as an ignorant, sheltered Victorian prude rather than the intelligent women she really was.
Not as common as Isabella, but still a boring name to me. I prefer the similar sounding Isidora, which is more original yet still has the same cute nickname Izzy.
My middle name is Isabel. I was born in the 1960s and named after my grandmother. At first, I didn't like it because I didn't know anyone with the name when I was in school. At the time, my grandmother said to just wait, one day it would become popular again. Little by little, beginning in the 1970s, I noticed French film actresses with the name like Isabelle Adjani & Isabelle Huppert. Years later, the popular singer Shakira was noted for having the middle named Isabel (with my spelling). Now it seems so many people have children named Isabella (often nicknamed Bella). I love having the middle name Isabel, because my grandmother who has since passed away lives on in my name & it sounds like a French movie star.
― Anonymous User 8/13/2014
5
For the longest time I couldn't stand the name Isabella. There are waaaaaay more Isabellas where I live than Isabels. Isabel was okay, but I wasn't particularly fond of it. Now that I'm older I can appreciate this name a lot more. I prefer it much more Isabel (spelled this way) as opposed to Isabella/Isabelle. A few years back I found out that my Mexican-born great-great grandmother's name was Isabel so I have to admit I have a soft spot for this name now. I'd never use it as a first name but I would consider it as a middle name, bring it back to life so to speak in our family tree.
― Anonymous User 11/25/2013
3
This is my name, and I personally love it. It wasn't very popular when I was born, and a lot of people assumed I was Hispanic because of my name, even though I had a *very* Italian surname. I've gotten plenty of compliments on it over the years, and I always loved being the only Isabel in a sea of jennifers and jessicas. I have yet to meet an Isabel my age. I agree with the other comment saying everyone misspells it, I can't tell you how often I've had to correct people who spelled it 'Isabelle', not to mention how many times I was called Isabella throughout school and by receptionists at the doctor, dentist, etc. It's not a big deal to me though, I've learned to respond to Isabella over the years. Although I'm not quite sure how they don't realize there's only one l and no a... Anyways, it's all worth it to bear such an elegant and beautiful name. I personally don't like the spelling Isabelle, it just looks too frilly and over the top to me, whereas Isabel can suit a wide range of personalities, from sporty to girly. If you absolutely love Isabella but want something a little less trendy, I would highly recommend Isabel. It's popularity has gone down in recent years, so your daughter will probably be the only Isabel in her class. It's a fantastic choice for a little girl that won't sound out of place when she's an adult. Plus, it sounds great with a lot of middle names!
I like this name, regardless of how popular it is. Very classy and feminine. It's strange how I don't like Isabella or even Isabelle spelt like that but I like Isabel and Isobel.
This may be my favorite name. I love that it doesn't have the frill of the le at the end (Isabelle), but it's still feminine and classy. Isabel is such a beautiful name; I'd like to name a little girl Isabel Irene.
I love this name. I think it's pretty enough without a nickname like izzy; that just takes away the beauty of the name. I personally prefer Isabel to Isabelle, and especially the disgustingly trendy Isabella. You really can't go wrong with a name like this! :)
For portuguese and Spanish speakers this name is beautiful. Such a classic name! It´s one of my favorite names for a girl. The nicknames in portugese for Isabel are Isa, Bel or Bebel.
In his book "Name This Child" (1959) the usually reliable Eric Partridge claims of Isabel/Isobel: "Originally a transformation of Elisabeth. But it has an independent origin as a Biblical name. (1 Kings, xvi, 31)"This had me scurrying for a Bible, where I found this: "30 Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. 31 And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him."Obviouly, Partridge mistakes Jezebel for Isabel - an uncharacteristic error.
Maria Isabel (1797-1818) was the daughter of King Joao IV of Portugal and his wife Carlota.Isabel (1801-1876) was also another daughter of King Joao IV of Portugal and his wife Carlota.
Isabel (1503-1539) was the daughter of King Manoel I of Portugal and his second wife Maria. She became Holy Roman Empress when marrying Emperor Charles V.
Isabel Bishop (born 1902 in Cincinnati, Ohio) was an American painter and graphic artist.
― Anonymous User 6/8/2012
2
I have a very strong dislike of this name. The name is pathetic and old-fashioned and you have this name then I feel rather sorry for you. It is the worst name. Ever.
As an Isabel in America I have been continuously frustrated by people trying to spell my name "Isabelle." People have also spelled my name as Isebal, Isabele, Izabelle, Izabel, and many other ways that I can't remember right now. There are too many different spellings of "Isabel" and for some reason everyone goes for anything but "Isabel." I also have a difficult last name so it gets old spelling my name out letter by letter for everything. People also continuously call me Elizabeth for some reason, I know the names are related but they don't even sound that much alike. I prefer the Spanish pronunciation, mostly because it clears up some of the spelling issues and it sounds better to me (and it's the way my mom says it, so I am biased). Despite the spelling issues I love my name, and it works for me.
Isabel Kabra is the main antagonist in the books "39 CLUES" along with her children, Ian and Natalie. She was so evil that she even shot her own daughter in the foot. Eventually she was arrested for murder and attempt to.
I love the name Isabel! It seems a lot tougher than Isabelle or Isabella, since I think the the suffix 'le' or 'la' on already pretty names makes them sound too girly. This is one of my favorite names.
If you are considering giving this name to your daughter, here are some things you should know: 1) People will misspell it. Everyone wants to add an -le to the end. When you or your daughter try to correct them, many people will complain that the -le spelling looks nicer. 2) People will call her Isabella. And Elizabeth. And maybe Annabel. 3) It is currently very common, along with its other spelling Isabelle. There are six other girls with this name who attend my school, and even though they are all Isabelles, the two names sound the same. 4) The meaning of this name really isn't too interesting. My name is not a bad name, though it has never really suited me. I have always pictured Isabels/Isabelles as being tall, slender, and dark-haired, none of which describe me in the slightest. At least this is the less feminine-looking version, for those parents who shy away from frilly names.
I have to disagree with Alora's comment. I can't understand how anyone could ever call Isabel "tacky". It is a beautiful, long-established, classic and sophisticated name. And it has a lot of history, if you'd care to read up about how "Elisheva" changed to "Isabel". Isabel is definitely not a misspelling, nor does it look like one. (Isn't Isabel the most common spelling in English, anyway? I've met far more Isabels than I have Isabelles or Isobels.) I get annoyed when English-speakers try to look "fancy" and pick the French form of a name, then ignore the French spelling and pronounce it as if it were English (usually because they can't speak French). Vivienne is not pronounced like Vivian, Adrienne is not pronounced like Adrian, Aimée is not pronounced like Amy, and Isabelle is not pronounced like Isabel! I personally have always loved the name Isabel, and though I prefer the Spanish pronunciation, it sounds gorgeous in English as well. And I think the Spanish nicknames Chabela and Chabelita are adorable. What's not to love about Isabel?
― Anonymous User 2/6/2010
11
The sixth variation of Sir Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations is called "Ysobel." It was intended as a portrayal of Elgar's viola pupil Isabel Fitton.
Horrible way to spell Isabelle. It is a disgrace to the name and the French word for beautiful "Belle" never should be spelled Bel! Horrible way to spell it. Beautiful name is Isabelle. Not Isabel. Still a beautiful name.
― Anonymous User 5/22/2009
-15
To the above comment saying that 'this is a terrible way to spell Isabelle' -- Do you know that Isabel is the original version?
― Anonymous User 9/28/2009
20
Sorry, I misunderstood that this was the original spelling. Still I stand for my comment that Isabelle just looks nice and is spelled better.
― Anonymous User 10/31/2009
-6
I like it, pretty, it's a bit common but I think ISABEL is the best spelling.
I LOVE this name. What's weird is it grew on me so quickly. One day, I only thought it was okay, the next I loved it. I just like the way all the syllables go together.
It seems likely to me that there is also some origin in this name from the Phoenician name Iyzebel, which meant "Baal is exalted" and was the probable real name of the biblical Jezebel.
Isabel Gemio Cardoso (Alburquerque, Badajoz, January 5, 1961) is a Spanish journalist and radio and television presenter. She was married to a Cuban sculptor (Nilo Manrique) and has a biological son and an adoptive son.She started in Radio Extremadura, and later in Radio Barcelona as Isabel Garbí. Her debut in television was in 1983 with the TVE quiz show Los Sabios.
Isabel Preysler (born Maria Isabel Arrástia Preysler on February 18, 1951 in Manila, Philippines) is a Filipina journalist, model and former TV talk show host in Madrid, Spain. She is known in the Spanish press as "La Reina de Corazones" (the Queen of Hearts) ever since a best-selling biography by the same name was published about her. She is the mother of international pop superstars Enrique Iglesias, Julio José Iglesias, Chabeli Iglesias, Tamara Falcó and Ana Boyer.
Isabel Pantoja (María Isabel Pantoja Martín b. Seville, 1956) is a popular contemporary gypsy Spanish singer, born on 2 August 1956, in the Triana district of Seville, Spain. She has released more than a dozen albums throughout a career spanning many decades, and is known for her distinctive Andalusian style.
María Isabel Iglesias y Preysler, known as Chábeli Iglesias (born September 3, 1971, Madrid, Spain) is a journalist based in Washington D.C. Iglesias is the daughter of famous Spanish singer Julio Iglesias and Filipino journalist Isabel Preysler. She is the sister of pop star Enrique Iglesias and model and singer Julio Iglesias Jr. She has also several half-siblings: Tamara Falcó and Ana Boyer (from her mother's side) and Miguel Alejandro, Rodrigo, Cristina, Victoria and Guillermo Iglesias (from her father's side).
Chavela Vargas, a Costa Rican-Mexican singer, was born Isabel Vargas Lizano in San Joaquín de Flores, Costa Rica on April 17, 1919. She is especially known for her rendition of rancheras genre - a folkloric musical genre widely popular in Mexico - but she is also recognized for her contribution to other popular Latin American song genres. In her youth, she dressed as a man, smoked cigars, drank heavily, carried a gun and was known for her characteristic red poncho, which she still does in performances.Vargas has been an influential interpreter in the Americas and Europe, muse to figures such as Pedro Almodovar, hailed for her haunting performances, and called "la voz aspera de la ternura", the bitter voice of tenderness. At 81 years old, she openly admitted she was a lesbian.At only 14, she fled her native country due to lack of musical career opportunities, seeking refuge in Mexico, where an entertainment industry was burgeoning. For many years she sang on the streets but in her thirties she became a professional singer.
I'd never cared much for Isabel til now. I think I'd known too many stuck-up Isabel(le)s. Now, though, I absolutely love it; the simple, pretty, tinkling sound, the pared down 'Isabel' spelling. I would love to name a daughter of mine Isabel; I just wish it hadn't become a name for spoilt girls! Ysabel is very striking and feminine, too.
My name is the variant Isabelle and I have a card with the meaning of the name on my bedroom door: =] Isabel/Isobel/Isabelle The Spanish form of Elizabeth meaning 'Oath of God'. She is honest, hard working and down to earth. With her high moral code and intuitive nature, she is both respected and revered. An employer's dream.
― Anonymous User 4/26/2008
3
A famous bearer was stage actress Isabel Bigley (23 February 1926 – 30 September 2006). She was best known for her supporting role as Sarah Brown in the original production of the Broadway musical "Guys and Dolls", for which she won a Tony Award.
I was always intrigued how Elisabeth turned into Isabel in Spanish. I found the answer in a medieval work: Elisabeth was written Elisabel back then and hence the short form Isabel. BTW, in ancient times it was spelled Ysabel, which I find beautiful.
This name is so blah and boring. As boring as its English counterpart Elizabeth - too many Isabels and Elizabeths out there.
― Anonymous User 10/19/2007
-11
I love this name, it's one of my favourites, but you would be inflicted with a lifetime of "Is a bell necessary on a bicycle?"
― Anonymous User 10/1/2007
-7
I love the name Isabel, it's so pretty. I love the nickname Belle but I don't like Is. It's really not elegant. I like this spelling better than Isabelle. I really like Isabel June.
― Anonymous User 9/11/2007
4
I have a crush on "Isabeau." It's a legitimate old name. What holds me back is that beau is masculine and belle is feminine for beautiful. But really I more so think it's either She "Is-a-bell" or She "Is-a-bow" sigh. I don't think I'll use it if everyone thinks I'm nuts. Maybe for a middle name. It's just that in husband's family, they call everyone by their middle names, even more so then their first. They are from the South, and though a little out of hand, that's the way is it!
Here in Israel the names Isabel and Jezebel are pronounced fairly identically and are considered to be one name. (ee-za-vel) Their linguistic origin is identical as is the lexical break down eeza-bel, yeeza-bel - both with the potential original form of Olizabel or Elizabel, bel being either a babylonian god (the source of the name 'el' as the hebrew word for god, in names like Michael), and also meaning 'lord' (hence, the lord god) yeza/eesa could mean follower or assistance, but it's unlikely. Since biblical names were fashionable in the early medieval era (even the 'bad' ones) it is very likely this is the Spanish pronunciation of Jezebel. Not a bad a association, there are a few Jezebel's in the bible, one of them a very strong, smart queen, it just happened that the ancient fathers thought any strong, clever independant woman was 'bad'. Thank god times have changed.
I really dislike this name and cannot for the life of me understand why it is so popular. However, this may be affected by the fact that the only Isabel I know is a brat.
It *is* very common in the US now, but it's always been common in Mexico, where my family is from. My grandmother's name was Maria Isabel, and I have a cousin and a niece named Isabel. The Mexican "nickname" for this, by the way, is Chavela. Oh, and Isabel is complete enough if you speak Spanish; no need for "-lle" in Spanish pronunciation.
The Spanish queen Isabel I the Catholic, she gave money and the ships to Cristobal Colón and she trusted in him for the expedition to the New World (America) with her husband Fernando V the Catholic.
I like this name. I love the name Elizabeth for Elizabeth Swann (my favourite film) and Elizabeth Bennet, both played by Keira Knightley. My mother's name is Maria Isabel and it's beautiful. She likes her name too. I think everybody likes it.
A famous bearer is author Isabel Allende (Llona, born August 2, 1942). She is also the niece of Salvador Allende, the president of Chile from 1970-1973.
Isabel is replacing "Selene/Serenity/Serena" as the new name for Mary-Sue characters. I'm not saying anyone who uses this name is writing a Mary-Sue, but just you may want to shy away from it.