Liesel is a feminine given name of German origin. It is derived from the German word "liesel," which means "God is my oath" or "God is my helper." The name Liesel is often associated with the popular novel and film, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," written by John Boyne, where the main character's mother is named Liesel Meminger. However, its use was not exclusive to this story and predates it.
In Germany, the name Liesel has been used since at least the 19th century, although its popularity has varied over time. It was among the top 50 names for baby girls born in Germany during the late 1890s but fell out of favor in subsequent decades. Despite this, the name continues to be used today, and it is still recognized as a traditional German name.
The meaning behind Liesel, "God is my helper," reflects the spiritual beliefs and values that were important to those who named their daughters Liesel in the past. This may have contributed to its popularity among religious families during certain periods of history. However, it is also possible that some parents simply liked the sound of the name or chose it because they had a personal connection to someone named Liesel.
Overall, Liesel is a unique and historic given name with deep roots in German culture. While its popularity has fluctuated over time, it remains an attractive option for parents looking for a distinctive name with meaningful origins.
The name Liesel has seen a varied pattern of usage over the years in the United States. Between 1954 and 2023, there have been a total of 1,191 babies named Liesel.
The popularity of the name began to rise significantly from the mid-1980s onwards. In 1987, there were 26 births with the name Liesel, marking a significant increase from previous years. This trend continued into the late 1980s and early 1990s, with peaks of 21 births in 1997, 28 births in 2005, and 33 births in 2008.
However, after reaching a peak of 60 births in 2014, the usage of the name Liesel started to decline. Between 2015 and 2023, there were between 25 and 63 births each year, indicating a decrease in popularity compared to the heights reached during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Despite this recent decline, it is clear that Liesel has been a name of choice for parents in the United States over many decades. Its usage reflects changing trends in baby naming, with periods of high popularity followed by declines in usage. Nevertheless, with nearly 1,200 babies named Liesel since 1954, it remains a name with a significant presence in American culture.