Entry № 0678 · Old Germanic origin

Gisela Gisela — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ gee-ZEH-lah /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Old Germanic
Meaning
"Pledge (Charlemagne's daughter)"
Syllables
3
Rank · US 2025
№ 0
First recorded
Medieval (Germanic)

A name that means "pledge (charlemagne's daughter)".

Gisela combines the Old German gīsil (pledge, hostage) — a name pledged in alliance. **Gisela of Lotharingia (757-810)** was the daughter of Pepin the Short and **sister of Charlemagne** — abbess of Chelles, learned in Latin, who commissioned major Carolingian manuscripts.

Used widely in German-speaking Europe.

Pledge. Charlemagne's sister, abbess of Chelles.

Where Gisela stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 0 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 0 in 0
Babies named Gisela · last year
87 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
0
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · — NOW · —

Giselas before her.

Real people
Gisela of Lotharingia
Charlemagne's sister.
757 – 810
In fiction
Giselle
Heroine of the romantic ballet.
Adolphe Adam, 1841

Names connected to Gisela.

The number behind Gisela.

3

The Communicator

Gisela reduces to three — the number of Carolingian sister.

Why families chose this name.

"Charlemagne's sister. Six letters. Gisela."
Catherine · Mother of one · Aachen