Isabel

Isabel is a feminine given name widely used in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities, as well as in various other cultures. It functions as both a standalone given name and a variant of Elizabeth.

Origin and meaning: The name is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Elizabeth, which ultimately derives from the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning "God is my oath."

Variants: Related names include Isabelle, Isabella, Isabela and Isobel; English forms include Isabelle and Isabella, while other languages have Elisabetta (Italian) and Élisabeth (French).

Notable people: Historical figures include Queen Isabella I of Castile (Isabel I). Contemporary figures include Chilean-American writer Isabel Allende; Spanish film director Isabel Coixet; American actress Isabel Sanford.

In literature: The character Isabel Archer appears in Henry James's The Portrait of a Lady.

The name Isabel remains common across the Spanish-speaking world and in the broader Anglophone sphere, reflecting its long-standing cultural and historical presence.