Isabel is a name of Spanish and Portuguese origin, derived from the Hebrew name Elizabeth. It means "God is my oath" or "God is my promise". The name has been popular throughout history among royalty and aristocracy in Spain and Portugal.
The name Isabel first gained prominence when it was borne by Isabella of Castile, who ruled over the Kingdom of Castile from 1474 to 1504. She played a significant role in the unification of Spain and is also known for supporting Christopher Columbus' voyages, which led to the discovery of the Americas.
Another notable figure with the name Isabel was Queen Isabel II of Spain, who reigned from 1833 until her abdication in 1868. She was the last sovereign of the House of Bourbon to rule over Spain.
In literature and arts, Isabel has been used as a character's name in various works such as "The House of the Spirits" by Isabel Allende, "The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton, and even as an alias for the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes' love interest Irene Adler in Arthur Conan Doyle's stories.
Today, Isabel remains a popular choice among parents naming their daughters. It is considered to be classic yet distinctive, carrying a rich history and cultural significance.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Isabel in the United States from 1904 to 2022, we can observe some interesting trends over time.
The earliest data point is from 1904, with only 6 births that year. The number of births fluctuated significantly during the early decades of the 20th century, ranging from a low of 5 births in 1906 to a high of 38 births in 1925.
However, starting around the mid-1920s, we see a more consistent increase in the number of Isabel births. Between 1924 and 1927, there were an average of 36 births per year, with the highest being 40 births in 1927.
This trend continued into the 1930s, although there was more variation in the number of births. The highest point during this decade was 35 births in 1936, while the lowest was 18 births in 1939.
The 1940s and 1950s saw a gradual decline in Isabel births. The highest point in the 1940s was 34 births in 1942, and the lowest was 20 births in both 1945 and 1962.
From the mid-1950s to the early 1980s, Isabel births remained relatively stable, fluctuating between a low of 7 births in 1973 and a high of 21 births in 1987. However, there was another decline in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with only 5 to 14 births per year.
Since the mid-1990s, Isabel births have remained quite low but relatively stable, ranging from a low of 5 births in several years (2007, 2016, 2019, and 2022) to a high of 22 births in 1992.
In total, there were 1827 Isabel births recorded in the United States between 1904 and 2022. While Isabel was more popular as a baby name during the early to mid-20th century, it has remained a consistent choice for parents throughout the decades.