ILSA

Ilsa is a feminine given name used in several European languages, including German, Dutch, Swedish, and English-speaking contexts. It is often treated as a diminutive or variant of Elisabeth, though in many cases it is used as a standalone name. The form is commonly linked to the Hebrew Elisheba, traditionally interpreted as meaning “God is my oath” or, in some renderings, related to “God is abundance.” In modern usage, Ilsa is typically seen as a concise, elegant name rather than a direct contraction of Elisabeth.

In popular culture, Ilsa is best known from Casablanca, where Ilsa Lund is a fictional character portrayed by Ingrid Bergman. The name has also appeared in other films and literary works, including the 1970s exploitation film Ilsa, She-Wolf of the SS, which centers on a fictional character named Ilsa. These appearances have contributed to the name’s recognizability in the English-speaking world.

Variants and related names include Elsa, Ilse, Elsi, Elza, and Isa. These forms share common roots with Elisabeth and appear across various languages, often with different spellings and pronunciations. When choosing Ilsa, parents may be drawn to its brevity, classical associations, and cross-cultural presence, even as the name remains relatively uncommon compared with more widely used alternatives.