Isabel
From Spanish Isabel, from Old Occitan Elisabel, from Latin Elisabeth, from Ancient Greek Ἐλισάβετ (Elisábet), from Hebrew אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Elishéva, “my God is an oath”).
Every Isabel since 1880 — 133,977 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Isabel
Isabel is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #177 in 2025 with 1,746 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 133,977 American babies have been named Isabel. Its peak came in 2006, when 4,019 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Isabel stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Isabel year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,746 | #177 | — | — |
| 2024 | 1,826 | #167 | — | — |
| 2023 | 1,753 | #164 | — | — |
| 2022 | 1,858 | #156 | 5 | #13,094 |
| 2021 | 1,917 | #146 | — | — |
| 2020 | 1,771 | #157 | — | — |
| 2019 | 2,059 | #134 | 5 | #12,896 |
| 2018 | 2,068 | #139 | — | — |
| 2017 | 2,036 | #145 | — | — |
| 2016 | 2,120 | #145 | 5 | #12,961 |
| 2015 | 2,177 | #149 | — | — |
| 2014 | 2,331 | #144 | 5 | #12,799 |
| 2013 | 2,341 | #136 | 7 | #10,064 |
| 2012 | 2,383 | #135 | — | — |
| 2011 | 2,413 | #128 | — | — |
| 2010 | 2,658 | #116 | 6 | #11,268 |
| 2009 | 2,988 | #109 | — | — |
| 2008 | 3,489 | #97 | 6 | #11,603 |
| 2007 | 3,864 | #87 | 5 | #13,091 |
| 2006 | 4,009 | #87 | 10 | #7,642 |
| 2005 | 3,611 | #89 | 9 | #7,890 |
| 2004 | 3,638 | #88 | 14 | #5,593 |
| 2003 | 3,853 | #83 | 10 | #6,917 |
| 2002 | 3,651 | #85 | 9 | #7,267 |
| 2001 | 3,491 | #88 | 8 | #7,824 |
| 2000 | 3,448 | #94 | 12 | #5,707 |
| 1995 | 1,297 | #217 | 12 | #4,915 |
| 1990 | 785 | #339 | 18 | #3,367 |
| 1985 | 515 | #428 | 18 | #2,761 |
| 1980 | 496 | #435 | 12 | #3,495 |
| 1975 | 408 | #462 | 20 | #2,246 |
| 1970 | 415 | #483 | 18 | #2,164 |
| 1965 | 327 | #527 | 16 | #2,029 |
| 1960 | 391 | #492 | 15 | #2,165 |
| 1955 | 450 | #417 | 15 | #2,086 |
| 1950 | 362 | #421 | 15 | #1,972 |
| 1945 | 275 | #430 | 20 | #1,510 |
| 1940 | 328 | #360 | 27 | #1,298 |
| 1935 | 425 | #292 | 27 | #1,309 |
| 1930 | 595 | #257 | 33 | #1,243 |
| 1925 | 900 | #212 | 38 | #1,155 |
| 1920 | 992 | #199 | 29 | #1,361 |
| 1915 | 943 | #177 | 13 | #2,117 |
| 1910 | 389 | #176 | 10 | #1,078 |
| 1905 | 292 | #176 | — | — |
| 1900 | 286 | #185 | — | — |
| 1895 | 212 | #184 | — | — |
| 1890 | 160 | #186 | — | — |
| 1885 | 102 | #185 | — | — |
| 1880 | 81 | #161 | — | — |
Famous people named Isabel
- Isabel Allende Writer · b. 1942
- Isabel Martínez de Perón Politician · b. 1931
- Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil Nobleman · 1846–1921
- Isabel Neville, Duchess of Clarence Politician · 1451–1476
- Isabel of Coimbra Companion · 1432–1455
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Isabel mean?
From Spanish Isabel, from Old Occitan Elisabel, from Latin Elisabeth, from Ancient Greek Ἐλισάβετ (Elisábet), from Hebrew אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Elishéva, “my God is an oath”).
How popular is the name Isabel in 2025?
Isabel ranked #177 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,746 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Isabel?
133,977 babies have been named Isabel in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Isabel most popular?
Isabel peaked in 2006, when 4,019 newborns received the name.
Is Isabel a boy or girl name?
Isabel is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Isabel rising or falling?
Isabel is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Isabel?
Well-known people named Isabel include Isabel Allende (writer), Isabel Martínez de Perón (politician), Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil (nobleman).