Isabel is a feminine given name of Spanish and Portuguese origin. It is derived from the name Elizabeth, which means "God is my oath" in Hebrew. The name Isabel has been popular throughout Europe for centuries, with notable figures such as Queen Isabel I of Castile, who sponsored Christopher Columbus' voyage to America in 1492.
In Spain, Isabel was a particularly common name among royalty. In addition to Queen Isabel I, her daughter, also named Isabel, became queen regnant of Castile and married King Ferdinand II of Aragon, leading to the unification of Spain under their rule. This further popularized the name Isabel in Spanish-speaking countries.
The name Isabel has been used consistently throughout history and across cultures. Its popularity has waxed and waned over time but has remained a well-loved choice for parents. Today, it continues to be given to baby girls around the world.
The given statistics illustrate the popularity of the name Isabel in the United States from 1880 to 2023. Throughout this period, there have been notable fluctuations in the number of babies named Isabel each year.
In the late 19th century, around 70-130 births per year were recorded for the name Isabel. The highest figure reached during this time was 131 births in 1886.
The early 20th century saw a steady increase in the popularity of the name Isabel, with birth numbers ranging from approximately 250 to 450 annually. This trend peaked in 1953 when there were 480 births recorded.
From the mid-1950s onwards, the popularity of the name Isabel began to fluctuate more significantly. Between 1956 and 1978, the number of births ranged between roughly 290 to 490 each year. During this period, Isabel reached its peak popularity in 1979 with 496 births.
The late 1980s and early 1990s marked another significant increase in the popularity of Isabel, with birth numbers rising from around 500 to over 1,000 annually. The highest figure recorded during this time was 1,297 births in 1995.
The turn of the millennium saw Isabel's popularity peak at an all-time high, reaching over 3,000 births per year between 1997 and 2004. After 2004, however, there was a gradual decline in the name's popularity, with birth numbers dropping to around 1,700 annually by 2023.
In total, over the course of 143 years (from 1880 to 2023), there were 128,545 births recorded for the name Isabel in the United States. This data demonstrates how the popularity of this name has evolved over time and highlights its enduring appeal throughout different eras.