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Gisele

♀ Girl

Pronounced zhee-ZEHL-ee /ʒi.ˈzɛl.i/Medium

Meaning: Hostage, pledgeMedium

In 30 seconds: Gisele is a Portuguese form of an old name meaning 'hostage' or 'pledge.'
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Origin MediumPortuguese
MeaningHostage, pledge
U.S. rank (2024)#2827 → Stable
2024 U.S. births59 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,338

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200919232024

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

History & Origin

Gisele carries a surprisingly weighty meaning, 'hostage' or 'pledge,' an echo of medieval Germanic custom where such pledges sealed agreements. The Portuguese spelling sits among relatives like Gisela, Giselle, Gisselle, Gizela, and the French Ghislaine. Despite the stern root, the name has long read as elegant.

Model Gisele Bündchen carries the Portuguese form, while the French Gisèle Halimi shows the same name across borders. The double-l Giselle leans French, while Gisela and Gizela keep a more Germanic shape.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Gisele is 'hostage, pledge', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Gisele — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

GiselaGizelaGiselleGisselleGhislaine

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Gisele Bündchen (1980–present)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.
  • ★Gisèle Halimi (1927–2020)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Gisele…

Giselle— The French double-l form of this same 'pledge' name.
Gisselle— An ornamented respelling sharing Gisele's sound and meaning.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Gisele mean?

Gisele is usually explained as meaning 'hostage, pledge' and is most often linked with Portuguese tradition.

How do you pronounce Gisele?

It's commonly said zhee-ZEHL-ee /ʒi.ˈzɛl.i/.

Is Gisele a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Gisele is used as a girl name.

How popular is Gisele?

In 2024, Gisele ranked #2827 in the U.S. for girls, with 59 births recorded.