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Home › Baby Names Directory › Isobel

Isobel

♀ Girl

Pronounced IZ-uh-bel /ˈɪz.ə.bɛl/High

Meaning: pledged to God, my God is an oathHigh

In 30 seconds: Isobel is the Scottish form of Isabel meaning pledged to God. A romantic name with medieval Scottish heritage, popular in Scotland and across the English-speaking world.
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Origin HighHebrew, Scottish
Meaningpledged to God, my God is an oath
U.S. rank (2025)#2307 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births79 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,801

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201618942025

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

Isobel is the Scottish Gaelic form of Isabel, from the Hebrew Elisheba meaning my God is an oath. It entered Scotland via Norman French influence.

Isobel has been popular in Scotland for centuries and has seen a revival in English-speaking countries in the 21st century.

Did you know? Isobel of Mar (c. 1277–1296) was a Scottish countess — making Isobel one of the most authentically Scottish feminine names with centuries of documented use.
Overall data confidence 90%
Ó Corráin & Maguire, Gaelic Personal Names — reference for IsobelBehind the Name: Isobel — name etymology reference

Variations

IsabelIsabellaIsabelleIsabell

Nicknames

IzzyBelleIso

Famous Bearers

  • ★Isabella of Mar (c. 1277–1296)
    Scottish noblewoman, daughter of Domhnall I, Earl of Mar, and first wife of Robert the Bruce; she died giving birth to their daughter Marjorie before Robert became king.

If you like Isobel…

Isabel— Spanish form of same name
Isabelle— French form of same name
Isabell— simplified spelling variant
Arabella— similar three-syllable -bel name
Annabel— similar -bel compound name

Explore names like Isobel

By themehebrewclassicthree-syllablescottishroyal
By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Isobel mean?

Isobel means pledged to God, as the Scottish form of Isabel/Elizabeth from the Hebrew Elisheba.

How do you pronounce Isobel?

Isobel is pronounced IZ-uh-bel (/ˈɪz.ə.bɛl/), with three syllables.

Is Isobel a girl's name?

Yes, Isobel is an exclusively feminine name.

How popular is the name Isobel?

Isobel is very popular in Scotland and growing across English-speaking countries.

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