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 had a fluctuating popularity over the course of the century, with a significant increase from the late 1950s onwards. It peaked around 1974 with 98 births, then maintained high numbers throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, before tapering off in recent years, with only 30 births recorded in 2021. Overall, there have been 4176 Giselas born between 1915 and 2023.