Isabel

From Namespedia - Names Meaning and Origins

Name: Isabel

Gender: Feminine

Origin: Europe

Language: Spanish

Thematic: Biblical

Meaning: God's promise; God is my oath.

Comments: Isabel is a southwestern European variant of the Hebrew name Elisheva, whose English form is Elizabeth. Isabel first appeared in medieval Provencal (the dialect of Provence in southern France). It is clear both etymologically and contextually (the use of Isabel as a translation of the name of the mother of John the Baptist) that this name is derived from the Latin and Greek renderings - i.e. Elizabeta (Latin) and Elisabet (Greek) - of the original Hebrew name. In Spanish the only derived form of Elisheva used is Isabel (or Isabela or Isabella), but in many other languages both forms are used, for example in French Isabelle and Elisabeth, in Italian Isabella and Elizabetta, and in English Isabel and Elizabeth.