Isabel
Say it: IZ-a-bel/ˈɪzəbɛl/
GirlMeans usually explained as "my God is an oath"6 letters3 syllables
#127
in Ireland (2025)
37
babies in 2025
#59
best rank (2008)
2,029
babies since 1965
Down 22
10-year rank change
Isabel through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 37 | #127 |
| 2024 | 51 | #94 |
| 2023 | 53 | #96 |
| 2022 | 49 | #105 |
| 2021 | 49 | #113 |
| 2020 | 37 | #136 |
| 2019 | 64 | #89 |
| 2018 | 60 | #101 |
| 2017 | 54 | #111 |
| 2016 | 60 | #95 |
| 2015 | 59 | #105 |
| 2014 | 76 | #87 |
| 2013 | 86 | #75 |
| 2012 | 80 | #82 |
| 2011 | 101 | #71 |
| 2010 | 117 | #64 |
| 2009 | 117 | #64 |
| 2008 | 124 | #59 |
| 2007 | 101 | #66 |
| 2006 | 88 | #68 |
| 2005 | 76 | #75 |
| 2004 | 85 | #67 |
| 2003 | 45 | #113 |
| 2002 | 52 | #94 |
| 2001 | 34 | #129 |
| 2000 | 33 | #124 |
| 1999 | 23 | #158 |
| 1998 | 24 | #148 |
| 1997 | 18 | #235 |
| 1996 | 11 | #279 |
| 1995 | 9 | #310 |
| 1994 | 10 | #297 |
| 1993 | 7 | #356 |
| 1992 | 13 | #269 |
| 1991 | 9 | #319 |
| 1990 | 4 | #446 |
| 1989 | 4 | #445 |
| 1988 | 3 | #492 |
| 1987 | 3 | #488 |
| 1984 | 6 | #389 |
| 1983 | 7 | #365 |
| 1982 | 5 | #425 |
| 1980 | 6 | #401 |
| 1979 | 4 | #467 |
| 1978 | 4 | #469 |
| 1977 | 9 | #329 |
| 1976 | 3 | #497 |
| 1975 | 7 | #343 |
| 1974 | 3 | #490 |
| 1973 | 15 | #254 |
| 1972 | 5 | #389 |
| 1971 | 8 | #303 |
| 1970 | 5 | #363 |
| 1968 | 3 | #401 |
| 1967 | 5 | #315 |
| 1966 | 3 | #380 |
| 1965 | 5 | #297 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Isabel mean?
Usually explained as "my God is an oath"
Spanish and Occitan form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva.
Say it right
IZabel
The story of Isabel
Isabel is a form of Elizabeth that grew up in the Middle Ages in Spain and the south of France, where Elisabel was worn down to Isabel. Elizabeth itself goes back through Latin and Greek to the Hebrew Elisheva, usually explained as “my God is an oath”. In English records the two names were used for the same person until the sixteenth century.
Isabel belongs to a family of names that includes Isabella, Isabelle and Isobel, and the CSO counts each of them separately.
In Ireland Isabel first reached the list in 1965 and was given to a few girls most years after that. It rose through the 2000s and had its best year in 2008, with 124 girls and number 59. It was number 127 in 2025. It is used much less in Northern Ireland, where its best place was 180th.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Isabel (English proper noun)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
IzzyBellaBelle
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Isabel | 37 | 2,029 |
In Northern Ireland
#259 in 2025 with 6 babies. Best rank #180 (2010); 111 babies since 2001.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.