Isabella is a name of Italian origin, derived from the Latin word "alba," which means "white" or "fair." It was traditionally given to girls with blonde hair or fair complexions, as it was believed to represent purity and beauty.
The name Isabella has a rich history that dates back to medieval times. It was first used by Italians in the 13th century, and its popularity spread throughout Europe over time. The name gained prominence in Spain during the reign of Isabella I, also known as "Isabella the Catholic," who ruled from 1474 to 1504. She is remembered for sponsoring Christopher Columbus's voyages and for unifying Spain by expelling the Moors.
The name Isabella was also popular among European royalty in the Middle Ages. Notable bearers of the name include Isabella of France, who married Edward II of England in 1308, and Isabella of Portugal, who became the queen consort of Spain as the second wife of Philip III in 1585.
In literature, Isabella is the heroine of John Webster's tragic play "The Duchess of Malfi," written in the early 17th century. The name has also been used by several authors as a character name in their works, such as in Charlotte Brontë's novel "Villette" and Emily Brontë's poem "Gondal."
Today, Isabella remains a popular choice for girls' names worldwide, ranking among the top 500 most common names in many countries. Its enduring appeal can be attributed to its historic significance, romantic connotations, and timeless elegance.
The name Isabella has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past century, with a total of 165 babies born with this name since 1926. The name's popularity has fluctuated over time, but it has consistently remained within the top 1000 most popular names in the country.
In the early years, from 1926 to 1947, there were only a handful of births each year with the name Isabella, ranging from five to ten. However, starting in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the name's popularity began to rise significantly. In 2005, there were eleven babies named Isabella, followed by twelve in 2006, eight in 2007, and then a steady increase to peak at nineteen births each year between 2013 and 2018.
Interestingly, the name's popularity has shown signs of stabilizing in recent years. After peaking at nineteen births per year from 2013 to 2018, the number of babies named Isabella has decreased slightly, with six births each year in 2019 and 2020, followed by eleven births in 2021.
Overall, while Isabella may not have been an extremely popular name throughout its history in the United States, it has nonetheless maintained a steady presence among newborns since the mid-20th century. Its popularity peaked in the late 2010s but has since stabilized at around six to eleven births per year.