Ilse

Ilse is a feminine given name of German origin. It is commonly understood as a short form of Elisabeth, a name of Hebrew origin meaning “Oath of God” or “God is my oath.” In German-speaking countries, Ilse has been used since at least the late 19th century, and while less common today, it remains a recognizable given name. Notable bearers include the Austrian writer Ilse Aichinger and the German actress and singer Ilse Werner. The spelling variant Ilsa is also used, and the name appears in various European countries in forms close to Ilse.

Ilse is also the name of a river in Lower Saxony, Germany. It rises in the Harz mountains and flows generally westward before joining the Leine river. The Ilse runs through the Ilsetal, a scenic valley in the Harz region.