UK girl's name
Gizelle
A feminine name derived from the French word for gazelle.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Gizelle is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Gizelle popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2009 to 2016. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Gizelle. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Gizelle ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 girls were registered as Gizelle.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gizelle as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Gizelle mean?
The name Gizelle finds its origins in the French language, derived from the Germanic name Gisela. This name itself has roots in the Old Frankish word "gisal," meaning a pledge or hostage. The name Gizelle is a variant spelling that emerged in the late Middle Ages.
In the 8th century, Gisela was the name of a daughter of the Frankish king Pepin the Short. She later became a nun and was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church. This early association with royalty and religious significance likely contributed to the name's popularity in the medieval period.
During the 12th century, the name Gizelle appeared in the writings of the French poet and troubadour Bertran de Born. In his works, Gizelle was portrayed as a beautiful and virtuous woman, further enhancing the name's positive connotations.
One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Giselle of Massovia (c. 1151 – 1207), a Polish princess and duchess consort of Kalisz. Her legacy as a patron of the arts and charitable endeavors helped to spread the name throughout Central Europe.
In the 16th century, the French composer and choreographer Jean-Baptiste Lully created the renowned ballet "Giselle" in 1841, which featured a peasant girl named Giselle as the tragic heroine. This work popularized the name in France and beyond.
Another notable Gizelle was Gizelle Pascale (1826 – 1895), a French ballerina and one of the most celebrated dancers of her time. She performed the lead role in Lully's "Giselle" and helped to cement the name's association with grace and artistry.
In the 20th century, Gizelle Landes (1908 – 1990) was an American actress and dancer who appeared in numerous films and Broadway productions. Her performances helped to keep the name in the public consciousness.
Throughout its history, the name Gizelle has been imbued with associations of beauty, grace, and strength, owing to its connections with royalty, religious figures, and talented artists and performers. Its French origins and elegant sound have contributed to its enduring appeal across various cultures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Gizelle over time
The chart below shows babies named Gizelle registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Gizelle, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gizelle by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gizelle was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5785 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #5556 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Gizelle
- Grace 79,208
- Georgia 48,838
- Gracie 18,387
- Georgina 15,599
- Gabriella 10,902
- Gemma 8,350
- Gabrielle 7,154
- Georgie 4,883
- Gabriela 3,300
- Genevieve 2,393
- Gracie-Mae 1,727
- Greta 1,283
FAQ
Gizelle: questions and answers
How popular is the name Gizelle in the UK right now?
In 2016, Gizelle was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Gizelle most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Gizelle in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Gizelle?
A feminine name derived from the French word for gazelle.
How many people are called Gizelle in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Gizelle across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.