Isabella is the Latin form of the name Isabel, which is in turn a medieval form of the name Elizabeth.
The name was originally used in France, Spain and Portugal. Several medieval European royals were called Isabella and the name was brought to England after the Norman conquest of 1066.
The name Isabella became increasingly popular in England in the 13th century after a French woman called Isabella of Angoulême married the English King John. Its popularity further increased when Isabella of France married the English King Edward II in the 14th century, (she later had her husband deposed and some believe she arranged for his murder).
The name Isabella was the 10th most popular name given to baby girls born in England and Wales in 2012.
Famous people called Isabella:
Isabella Rossellini, model
Princess Isabella of Denmark, royalty
Lady Isabella Hervey, socialite and model
Isabella Blow, magazine editor
Can be shortened to: Isa, Bella, Belle, Izzy, Issy, Isy.
Surnames to avoid with the name Isabella:
Anything you wouldn't want preceded by the phrases 'Is he...' or 'Is a bell..., eg, Jar.
Surnames beginning with an 'A' might cause problems too, as when said aloud this combination of sounds may result in elision – when two words slurred together end up sounding like one.
Similar names:
Isa (Scottish) Isabel, Isabelle (Spanish) Isadora (Greek), Elizabeth
Masculine variants:
Isaac, Isar
Celebrities who named their baby Isabella:
Tina Hobley, actor
Matt Damon, actor
Ingrid Bergman, actor
Andrew Lloyd Webber, composer