The name Giselle is of French origin and it has a rich history behind it. It is derived from the Germanic elements "GISIL" which means "pledge" or "hostage", and "HILD" which means "battle". Therefore, the name Giselle translates to "pledged for battle".
Giselle was popularized by the German Romantic era, particularly through the ballet "Giselle", created by French choreographer Jean Coralli and Adolphe Adam in 1841. The story revolves around a young peasant girl named Giselle who is betrothed to a nobleman but falls in love with a handsome stranger who turns out to be engaged elsewhere. Tragically, she dies of grief but returns as a ghost to protect her lover from harm.
The name has also been featured in other works such as "Giselle's Lover" by Scottish poet Sir Walter Scott and "La Gioconda" by French playwright Victorien Sardou.
Throughout history, the name Giselle has been associated with elegance, grace, and a touch of mystery due to its connection to the ballet. It is often favored for its unique sound and its rich historical background, making it a popular choice among parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Gisele has seen a varied degree of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1988 and 2016, there were a total of 566 babies named Gisele.
In its earliest years on record, Gisele was given to 5 girls each year in both 1988 and 1989. After a period of relative obscurity, the name began to gain traction in the mid-1990s. In 1993, there were 13 babies named Gisele, marking a significant increase from previous years.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw Gisele's popularity peak. Between 1998 and 2004, the number of babies named Gisele ranged from a high of 42 in both 2003 and 2004 to a low of 31 in 2005. This period saw consistent popularity for the name.
However, after 2005, the number of babies named Gisele began to decline. Between 2006 and 2016, the annual number of births with the name ranged from a high of 41 in 2009 to a low of just 6 in 2016.
Despite this recent decline, Gisele remains a unique and distinctive name choice. With its varied usage over the years, it's clear that parents have consistently found something appealing about this name option for their daughters.