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Home › Baby Names Directory › Gisela

Gisela

♀ Girl

Pronounced gee-SEH-lah /ɡiˈsɛ.lɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Germanic gisil, 'pledge, hostage' (a guarantee of a treaty) — feminineHigh

In 30 seconds: A noble pledge: Gisela is Germanic for 'pledge, hostage' — a royal medieval name (model Gisele's cousin spelling). Elegant, strong, and historic.
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Origin HighGerman
MeaningFrom Germanic gisil, 'pledge, hostage' (a guarantee of a treaty) — feminine
U.S. rank (2025)#3932 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births37 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1995
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,246

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199519152025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Gisela comes from Germanic gisil, 'pledge, hostage' — a noble guarantee of a treaty, borne by medieval queens and saints. An elegant, historic name across German and Spanish-speaking lands.

In the U.S. it appears in German and Latino families. Rare, pledge at the root, and elegant.

Did you know? Gisela means 'pledge' in Germanic — royal daughters sealed treaties as honored 'pledges'; it was a name of medieval queens and saints (model Gisele echoes it).
Overall data confidence 82%
Behind the Name — Gisela — etymology

Variations

GiseleGisellaGiselle

Nicknames

Gigi

Famous Bearers

  • ★Gisela of Bavaria (985-1065)
    Queen consort of Hungary as wife of King Stephen I, later venerated as a saint
  • ★Gisela Mota (1976-2016)
    Mexican politician who served as mayor of Temixco, Morelos
  • ★Gisela (singer) (1979-)
    Spanish flamenco and pop singer known for her work in Catalan music

If you like Gisela…

Giselle— the French form
Gisele— a fellow spelling
Griselda— a companion Germanic name
Ameila— lands in the same popularity range
Annelise— shares Gisela's German roots

Explore names like Gisela

By themegermanmedieval

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Gisela mean?

Gisela is Germanic for 'pledge, hostage' — a noble treaty-guarantee.

How do you pronounce Gisela?

It's said gee-SEH-lah /ɡiˈsɛ.lɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Gisela a boy or girl name?

Gisela is a girl's name.

How popular is Gisela?

Gisela is a rare name in the U.S.

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