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 been a popular choice for parents in the United States since the late 19th century. According to the statistics provided, there were 50 births with the name Isabella in both 1880 and 1881. This number fluctuated throughout the following decades, reaching a peak of 246 births in 1916.
However, it was not until the late 1980s that the name Isabella started to become significantly more popular. In 1986, there were only 60 births with the name, but this number increased to 75 in 1987 and then jumped to 139 in 1989. The trend continued into the 1990s, with 217 births in 1990 and 305 in 1991.
The name Isabella reached its peak popularity in the United States in recent years. In 2002, there were 12,170 births with the name Isabella, making it the third most popular girl's name that year. This trend continued throughout the decade, with over 15,000 births each year from 2003 to 2006.
Despite a slight dip in popularity after 2006, the name Isabella remained one of the top ten girl's names in the United States until 2021. In total, there have been 395,255 births with the name Isabella in the United States since 1880.
This data demonstrates the enduring appeal of the name Isabella for parents across different eras and generations.