Lisel

Lisel is a feminine given name, primarily found in German-speaking regions and among families with Germanic heritage. It is a diminutive or variant of Elisabeth, sharing the same origin and meaning. Elisabeth derives from the Hebrew Elisheba and is commonly interpreted as “God is my oath” or “pledged to God.” In German, diminutives and pet names for Elisabeth include Liesl, Liesel, and Liesje; Lisel represents an alternative spelling used in some families.

Usage is most associated with the 20th century, when short, two-syllable forms gained popularity. While Liesl and Liesel are more common in many contexts, Lisel also appears in Germany, Austria, and the United States, particularly in communities with German or Dutch ancestry. The spelling variation can reflect family preference or immigration history.

Notable people named Lisel include Lisel Mueller (1924–2020), a German-born American poet and translator who won the National Book Award for Poetry in 1997 for Alive Together: New and Selected Poems. The name is comparatively uncommon, and most public references use Liesl or Liesel.

See also Liesl, Liesel, Elisabeth, Elizabeth.