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Isabella

Girl name · 2,532 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Isabella: 2,532 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 143 births in 2011.

Isabella, the elegant Latinate form of Elizabeth, traces its roots to the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning "God is my oath" or "God is abundance." The name rose to prominence across Europe through royal lineages, most famously borne by Isabella I of Castile, the 15th-century queen who sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyages and unified Spain. In Scotland, the name carries a particular resonance through Isabella MacDuff, Countess of Buchan, who in 1306 performed the traditional crowning of Robert the Bruce—a bold act that led to her imprisonment. The name also connects to the Scottish island of Islay, whose name shares a Gaelic root meaning "swelling" or "island." A beloved variant, Isobel, has been consistently popular in Scotland, offering a distinctly Scottish twist on this timeless classic.