Isabella is a feminine given name of Italian origin. It is derived from the Germanic elements 'is' meaning ice and 'hild' meaning battle, and together they form the name "Isabelle" or "Isabella", which means "devoted to God". The name Isabella has been popular throughout history and can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Europe.
The name first gained prominence during the reign of King Isabella I of Castile, also known as La Reina Católica (the Catholic Queen), who ruled from 1474 until her death in 1504. She played a significant role in the unification of Spain and was instrumental in financing Christopher Columbus's voyages to the Americas.
Isabella is also associated with several notable figures throughout history, including Isabella of France, the wife of King Edward II of England; Isabella d'Este, an Italian Renaissance patroness of the arts; and Isabella of Portugal, the consort of King John II of Portugal. Additionally, there are numerous literary characters named Isabella, such as Isabella di Marchesi in Thomas Hardy's novel "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" and Isabella Thorpe in Jane Austen's novel "Northanger Abbey".
In pop culture, Isabella has been used as a character name in various movies, TV shows, and books. Some examples include Isabella Swan from the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer and Isabella "Bella" Clark from the soap opera Days of Our Lives.
Overall, the name Isabella is rich in history and has been worn by many influential figures throughout the centuries. Its meaning, devoted to God, adds a touch of spirituality to this elegant and timeless name.
The name Isabella has seen a remarkable resurgence in popularity since the late 1980s, with a sharp increase beginning around 1992. From just 60 births in 1986, it rose to 75 births in 1987 and then skyrocketed to 139 births in 1989, 217 in 1990, and reached over 300 by 1991. This upward trend continued throughout the 1990s, with Isabella becoming one of the top names for girls by the end of the decade.
The name maintained its popularity into the new millennium, reaching an all-time high of 2863 births in 1997 and peaking at over 15,000 births annually between 2002 and 2005. It has since experienced some fluctuations but remains a top choice for parents, with approximately 11,000 to 13,000 births per year from 2017 to 2022.
In total, the name Isabella has been given to nearly 400,000 newborn girls in the United States since 1880.