Isabelle

Isabelle is yet another variation on one of the most timeless names out there—Elizabeth. This French variation shares Elizabeth’s meaning, pledged to God.

This variation on Elizabeth is one of the slightly less popular versions of the name, currently holding steady near the top 100. (Compare that to Isabella, which is currently in the top 20 baby names, and Elizabeth, which has been in the top 20 for nearly 150 years.)

You’ll find tons of famous folks bearing any of the many variations of this name, including royalty, authors, actors, and more. For Isabelle, you’ll find actresses Huppert, Fuhrman, and Adjani, along with a princess of Liechtenstein, several historic noblewomen, and a handful of celebrity babies. The Isabelle Stevenson Award is a philanthropic award given at the Tony Awards to an individual in the theater community who has devoted significant time and effort on behalf of a charitable organization. Isabelle’s also a popular character in the Animal Crossing Nintendo game.

If you’re looking for a fresh variation on Isabelle, you have plenty of options—Isabella, Isobel, Isabel, Lilibet, Elizabeta, Elisheba, Elspeth, Ilsa, Elizabeth, and Yzabel. (And don’t forget the slew of nickname options, like Beth, Bess, Bella, Betsy, Lisa, Betty, Elyse, Elsie, and Liesa.) You can also opt for some other fun French names, like Aimee, Ariane, Babette, Elle, Fleur, and Mirabelle.

Isabelle in quotes:

“The tragedy and the abnormal always hides itself behind the normal.”—Isabelle Huppert

“To change, that is the most difficult thing to accomplish.” —Isabelle Adjani

“True elegance for me is the manifestation of an independent mind.”—Isabella Rossellini