Isabel & Hilja

Isabel is a female name of Iberian origin. Isabelle is a name that is similar, but it is of French origin. It originates as the medieval Spanish form of Elisabeth (ultimately from Hebrew Elisheba). Arising in the 12th century, it became popular in England in the 13th century following the marriage of Isabella of Angoulême to the king of England. Variant forms and spellings include Isabella, Ysabelle, Isobel, and Isobelle. Today Isabel is sometimes abbreviated to Isa.