Gisela
Gisela is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Pledge or hostage.
Origin and history
Gisela is a traditional Germanic name derived from the word gisil, meaning pledge or hostage. It was borne by royalty throughout medieval Europe, including Saint Gisela of Hungary. In the United States, it has been used steadily but moderately, remaining a distinct alternative to the more common Giselle.
Popularity in the United States
4,246 babies in the United States have been named Gisela since 1880. It ranks #2700 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1889.
States where it is most popular
- CA (41.5 %)
- TX (31.9 %)
- NY (14.7 %)
- FL (4.2 %)
- IL (4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 15 |
| 1920-1930 | 47 |
| 1930-1940 | 32 |
| 1940-1950 | 21 |
| 1950-1960 | 140 |
| 1960-1970 | 332 |
| 1970-1980 | 646 |
| 1980-1990 | 511 |
| 1990-2000 | 901 |
| 2000-2010 | 909 |
| 2010-2019 | 480 |
| 2020-2029 | 212 |
Famous people named Gisela
- Gisela Dulko: Tennis Player
Nicknames
Gigi, Ella
Fun facts
- Gisela of France was a legendary 10th-century princess who married the Viking leader Rollo of Normandy.
- The root word gisil historically referred to a noble noble child given as a pledge of peace between clans.