Gisela is a feminine given name of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German words "gisil," which means "hostage" or "noble captive," and "land," meaning "country." Therefore, Gisela's name can be interpreted as "noble captive of the land."
The name Gisela has been used in various forms throughout history, with some notable figures sharing this name. One such figure is Empress Gisela of Germany (948-1043), who was the wife of Emperor Conrad II and mother of three emperors. She was known for her piety and her influence on politics during her time.
In literature, Gisela appears as a character in several works. In "The Ring of the Nibelung," an epic poem by Richard Wagner, Gisela is the sister of King Gunther of Burgundia. Additionally, Gisela is also featured in the fantasy novel series "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin, where she is a member of House Florante.
Overall, while Gisela may not be one of the most popular names today, it has a rich historical background and an interesting meaning that sets it apart from other feminine given names.
The name Gisela has seen a fluctuating pattern of popularity over the years in the United States, with significant increases and decreases throughout the decades.
From 1915 to 1932, the number of births with the name Gisela remained relatively low, ranging from five to ten births per year. However, starting in the late 1940s, there was a notable increase in the number of babies named Gisela, with 10 births recorded in 1947 and six births in 1948.
The 1950s marked a significant turning point for the name Gisela. In 1953, there were nine births, followed by 14 in 1954, 15 in 1955, and 19 in 1957. The years 1958 to 1967 saw a consistent increase in the popularity of the name, with the number of births ranging from 26 to 36 per year.
The trend continued into the 1970s, with the highest number of Gisela births recorded in 1974 (77) and 1975 (98). However, there was a decline in popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with fewer than 80 births per year from 1979 to 1982.
From 1983 onwards, the number of babies named Gisela remained below 60 per year until 1994, when there were 102 births. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw another increase in popularity, with over 70 births per year between 1998 and 2003.
Since then, the number of Gisela births has fluctuated but has generally declined. Between 2004 and 2023, there were fewer than 60 births per year on average, with the highest number being 56 in 2010 and the lowest being 30 in 2021.
In total, from 1915 to 2023, there have been 4,176 babies named Gisela born in the United States. Despite its fluctuating popularity, the name Gisela has maintained a steady presence throughout the years.