Gisela
Gisela is a Christian girl name of Old High German origin, meaning “Pledge”.
| Meaning | Pledge |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Old High German |
| Pronunciation | gee-ZEH-lah |
| Tradition | Christian, Modern & Classic |
| Used in | Germany, Austria, Spain, Brazil |
Meaning and origin of Gisela
Gisela comes from the Germanic element gisil, meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage', reflecting the medieval custom of noble children being exchanged to seal alliances. It was used in the Carolingian royal family, including a sister of Charlemagne. Blessed Gisela of Bavaria, wife of Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary, helped spread it in Central Europe. The French form Giselle became famous through the ballet.
Is Gisela a Christian name?
Gisela is honoured in Catholic tradition through Blessed Gisela of Hungary, who supported the Christianisation of the Hungarian kingdom alongside her husband.
How popular is Gisela?
Mostly found among older women in German-speaking countries; still used in Latin America.
Gifts with the name Gisela
- Gisela name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Gisela baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Gisela
Names similar to Gisela
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gisela mean?
Gisela means 'Pledge'. It is of Old High German origin.
Is Gisela a Christian name?
Gisela is honoured in Catholic tradition through Blessed Gisela of Hungary, who supported the Christianisation of the Hungarian kingdom alongside her husband.
How do you pronounce Gisela?
Gisela is pronounced gee-ZEH-lah.
Is Gisela a boy or girl name?
Gisela is usually a girl name.