What Does the Name Giselle Mean?
Giselle is a girl's name of French (from Germanic) origin meaning “pledge, hostage.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Giselle |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | French (from Germanic) |
| Meaning | pledge, hostage |
| Variants | Gisele, Gisela, Gizelle, Gisselle |
| Popularity | Popular in the US and Latin America, ranking within the top 300-500 in recent decades. |
The meaning and origin of Giselle
The name Giselle means “pledge, hostage” and has French (from Germanic) origins. From a Germanic element 'gisil' meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage' (historically a child given as a guarantee of an alliance). It is widely known from Adolphe Adam's 1841 ballet 'Giselle.'
Variants and related names
Giselle is related to several other names you may recognize: Gisele, Gisela, Gizelle, Gisselle. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Giselle?
Popular in the US and Latin America, ranking within the top 300-500 in recent decades.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Giselle mean?+
The name Giselle means “pledge, hostage” and is of French (from Germanic) origin.
What is the origin of the name Giselle?+
Giselle originates from French (from Germanic).
Is Giselle a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Giselle has trended in the US over time.
Giselle by gender
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Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press