Giselle
How to say it: jih-ZEL · /dʒɪˈzɛl/
From Old High German 'gisel' meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage'. Popularized in French-speaking regions and globally.
Giselle was the 329th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 803 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 2000s, its births are down about 47% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #401 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #329 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 803 |
| Share of births | 1 in 3,318 |
| Peak decade | 2000s |
| Change over 10 years | −47% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #401 |
| In France, 2025 | #518 among girls’ names, 10 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After peaking in the 2000s, Giselle eased downward but remains in regular use. Now well below that high, it looks set to slip further.
What goes with it
Pronounced jih ZEL, it moves with a breathy softness and a gentle air. Gigi works as a short form, while Juliette shares its style.
Middle names that flow with Giselle →
Parents who love Giselle also love
Nicknames
- Gigi
- Gis
- Elle
Honouring a Giselle in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Giselle is about 1 in 139.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Welsh.
In France: #518 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Giselle
- Giselle Itié (born 1981)Brazilian actress
- Giselle Ansley (born 1992)British field hockey player
- Giselle Kañevsky (born 1985)Field hockey player
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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