Isobel
Say it: IZ-o-bel
GirlMeans a form of Elizabeth, which means "my God is an oath"6 letters3 syllables
#239
in Ireland (2025)
#241 with spellings combined
18
babies in 2025
#81
best rank (2008)
1,504
babies since 1964
Down 105
10-year rank change
Isobel through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18 | #241 |
| 2024 | 16 | #265 |
| 2023 | 22 | #203 |
| 2022 | 16 | #269 |
| 2021 | 26 | #185 |
| 2020 | 26 | #177 |
| 2019 | 31 | #165 |
| 2018 | 31 | #172 |
| 2017 | 35 | #158 |
| 2016 | 35 | #156 |
| 2015 | 45 | #136 |
| 2014 | 48 | #123 |
| 2013 | 54 | #114 |
| 2012 | 49 | #125 |
| 2011 | 71 | #97 |
| 2010 | 84 | #81 |
| 2009 | 86 | #82 |
| 2008 | 86 | #81 |
| 2007 | 68 | #89 |
| 2006 | 54 | #104 |
| 2005 | 64 | #88 |
| 2004 | 45 | #113 |
| 2003 | 46 | #110 |
| 2002 | 35 | #128 |
| 2001 | 49 | #97 |
| 2000 | 31 | #132 |
| 1999 | 45 | #92 |
| 1998 | 21 | #166 |
| 1997 | 19 | #226 |
| 1996 | 25 | #181 |
| 1995 | 14 | #250 |
| 1994 | 7 | #350 |
| 1993 | 10 | #300 |
| 1992 | 8 | #339 |
| 1990 | 5 | #409 |
| 1989 | 6 | #377 |
| 1988 | 5 | #407 |
| 1987 | 6 | #386 |
| 1986 | 3 | #521 |
| 1985 | 3 | #519 |
| 1984 | 9 | #320 |
| 1983 | 7 | #365 |
| 1982 | 3 | #523 |
| 1981 | 5 | #423 |
| 1980 | 7 | #370 |
| 1979 | 9 | #330 |
| 1978 | 8 | #348 |
| 1977 | 11 | #296 |
| 1976 | 8 | #329 |
| 1974 | 8 | #324 |
| 1973 | 6 | #374 |
| 1972 | 3 | #471 |
| 1971 | 13 | #250 |
| 1970 | 10 | #272 |
| 1969 | 10 | #265 |
| 1968 | 6 | #307 |
| 1967 | 8 | #253 |
| 1966 | 7 | #276 |
| 1965 | 9 | #238 |
| 1964 | 9 | #234 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Isobel mean?
A form of Elizabeth, which means "my God is an oath"
Scottish form of Isabel, a medieval form of Elizabeth.
Say it right
IZobel
The story of Isobel
Isobel is the Scottish spelling of Isabel. Isabel began in the Middle Ages as a form of Elizabeth, which comes from the Hebrew Elisheba, usually explained as “my God is an oath”. The spelling with an “o” has long been the usual one in Scotland.
In Ireland Isobel appears in almost every year of the CSO records. It had its most successful spell in the 2000s. Its best year was 2008, when 86 girls were named Isobel and it reached number 81. Since then the name has become less common, and in 2025, 18 girls were given it.
The CSO counts each spelling separately, so Isobel, Isabel, Isabelle and Isabella all have their own entries and pages here.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Isobel (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Isobel
- Wiktionary: Elizabeth (English proper noun)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
IzzyBella
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Isobel | 18 | 1,504 |
In Northern Ireland
#290 in 2025 with 5 babies. Best rank #150 (2013); 140 babies since 1999.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.