Giselle is a feminine given name of German origin. It is derived from the Germanic word "gisil," which means "hostage" or "pledge." The name Giselle was popularized by French author Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian, who used it in his fairy tale "La Belle et la Bête" (Beauty and the Beast). In this story, Giselle is a fairy who appears to the protagonist, Beauty, in various forms. Despite its German origins, Giselle has become more commonly associated with French culture due to its appearance in literature and ballet. For example, the ballet "Giselle," choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, premiered in Paris in 1841. This romantic tale of a young peasant girl named Giselle who dies of a broken heart and becomes a Willis, a vengeful spirit, has remained popular throughout the centuries. Overall, Giselle is a beautiful and unique name with a rich history behind it.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Giselle in the United States from 1986 to 2004. During this time period, there was a total of 44 babies named Giselle born across these years.
Interestingly, there appears to be some fluctuation in the popularity of the name over time. In the early years recorded (1986), there were 8 births, but this number decreased to just 5 births in both 1998 and 2003. However, it rose again to 8 births in 1999, suggesting a slight resurgence in popularity.
It's worth noting that the name Giselle maintained some consistency in terms of its popularity throughout these years, with an average of around 6 births per year over the span of two decades. Despite not reaching high peak numbers, Giselle remained a steadily present choice among parents naming their daughters during this period.
In conclusion, while the name Giselle did not achieve extraordinary heights of popularity during this timeframe in the United States, it did maintain a consistent presence within the naming landscape, with a total of 44 babies named Giselle born between 1986 and 2004.