Mostly girls
Elowen
Cornish
“elm”
Mostly girls · Welsh, German
Isolde
“ice ruler”
Say it iz-OHL-duhPronunciation may vary by region.
See your shortlist ↗
A little maybe, saved for later.
The story behind the name
Meet Isolde.
Seen as a symbol of undying love, Isolde was an Irish princess who accidentally drinks a love potion and falls in love with the nephew of the king she was betrothed to. The story ends in tragedy, but with Tristan, Romeo, and Juliet all familiar choices, this connection doesn't need to hold you back.
The exact etymology of the name is unknown but one suggestion is that it comes from Germanic elements to mean "ice ruler" or "ice battle" giving it a strong, wintery feel. Alternatively, it may have Brythonic origins, in which case it could mean "she who is gazed upon."
More likely to be used in the Netherlands or in Germany than in the US, it could appeal more widely as an intriguing alternative to Isabel, Iris, Ines, and Imogene. Given to 15 American girls in a recent year, it comes with user-friendly nicknames Izzy and Sol, though Iso is the one used in Marilyn French's novel The Women's Room.
A little perspective
How popular is Isolde?
Girls · 2025#5,99720 recorded births
Recorded US births over time
● Girls● Boys
View the numbers behind the chart
| Year | Category | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 5,997 | 20 |
| 2024 | Girls | 7,748 | 14 |
| 2023 | Girls | 5,459 | 23 |
| 2022 | Girls | 7,419 | 15 |
| 2021 | Girls | 6,809 | 17 |
| 2020 | Girls | 8,617 | 12 |
| 2019 | Girls | 8,310 | 13 |
| 2018 | Girls | 7,224 | 16 |
| 2017 | Girls | 8,023 | 14 |
| 2016 | Girls | 6,520 | 19 |
| 2015 | Girls | 6,118 | 21 |
| 2014 | Girls | 5,867 | 22 |
Rankings are calculated separately for boys and girls. Records below the publication threshold may be missing; gaps are not zero births.
A few ways to make it theirs.
Nicknames
No nicknames are listed yet. The name can stand beautifully on its own.
Variations & related forms
EsylitIsoldaIsottaYsoldeIseultIsoldIsoltIsolteIsottotteYseuheYseultYseut
Keep the possibilities coming
If you love Isolde…
More names with a similar feeling or shared roots.