Fun Facts About the Name Ilsa
- 917 babies named Ilsa: U.S. records list 917 babies given the name Ilsa from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Ilsa Mean?
Ilsa is a German short form of Elisabeth (Elizabeth), and it takes its meaning from that parent name rather than having one of its own. Elisabeth goes back to the Hebrew name אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Elisheva), traditionally understood as "God is my oath": El means "God," and the second element is usually explained as "oath." A second reading of that same element connects it to sheva, "seven," used in the sense of fullness, giving "God is abundance." Both renderings appear in reference works; the precise sense of the Hebrew second element is not settled, so the customary English meaning "God is my oath" is the one given here.
Ilsa Name History & Origins
Ilsa was formed in German-speaking Europe by shortening Elisabeth to its first syllable and adding the -a ending common in German girls' names. It belongs to a group of German pet forms of Elisabeth that also includes Ilse, Liesel, Liesl, Lisa, and Elsa. Ilse is the more usual German spelling, so Ilsa is best treated as a variant of Ilse rather than as a separate name with its own line of development.
The name is also used in Scandinavia and in English-speaking countries. In English it is widely recognized from the character Ilsa Lund in the 1942 film Casablanca. That is a famous modern use of an already existing German name, not its point of origin.
Ilsa is not related to the similar-sounding Scottish name Ailsa, which is associated with the island of Ailsa Craig; the resemblance is coincidental.
How Popular is the Name Ilsa?
Ilsa has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2011. Its best rank was #2,687 in 1944.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #5,622 | 22 | 0.0014% |
| 2024 | #9,800 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2023 | #8,658 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2022 | #7,411 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2021 | #7,777 | 14 | 0.0009% |
| 2020 | #6,739 | 17 | 0.0011% |
| 2019 | #5,356 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 2018 | #5,673 | 22 | 0.0013% |
| 2017 | #6,635 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 2016 | #10,384 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2015 | #11,255 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2014 | #7,439 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2013 | #4,571 | 31 | 0.0018% |
| 2012 | #7,253 | 17 | 0.0010% |
| 2011 | #4,288 | 34 | 0.0019% |
| 2010 | #5,687 | 24 | 0.0014% |
| 2009 | #5,969 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 2008 | #6,219 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 2007 | #6,182 | 22 | 0.0011% |
| 2006 | #7,624 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2005 | #6,947 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2004 | #7,202 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2003 | #5,484 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 2002 | #7,568 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2001 | #5,434 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 2000 | #13,803 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #5,098 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 1998 | #8,208 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1997 | #9,314 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1996 | #5,143 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 1995 | #8,313 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1994 | #6,448 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1993 | #7,189 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1992 | #6,121 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1991 | #8,854 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1989 | #10,091 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1988 | #6,017 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1987 | #8,267 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1986 | #5,271 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1985 | #9,745 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1984 | #5,040 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1983 | #6,915 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1981 | #8,436 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1980 | #8,469 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1979 | #9,400 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1978 | #7,193 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1977 | #10,178 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1976 | #6,233 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1975 | #4,961 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 1973 | #6,288 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1972 | #3,770 | 16 | 0.0011% |
| 1971 | #6,868 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1970 | #6,005 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1969 | #6,943 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1968 | #4,903 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1967 | #3,925 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1966 | #3,630 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1965 | #4,621 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1964 | #4,460 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1963 | #5,529 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1962 | #5,025 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1961 | #6,949 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1960 | #4,579 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 1958 | #4,299 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 1957 | #5,672 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1955 | #4,185 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1951 | #5,080 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1950 | #4,961 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1948 | #4,889 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1947 | #4,970 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1945 | #4,844 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1944 | #2,687 | 12 | 0.0009% |
| 1943 | #4,402 | 6 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Ilsa Shapes Your Personality and Life?
Your tendency is to finish whatever you start. You like to use the pen or the needle (writing, fashion design etc). You are loving, compassionate, intuitive and humanitarian. Runs of luck, either good or bad, follow you. You are sympathetic, but at times might be touchy and oversensitive. You may have a gift for writing. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Ilsa's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Ilsa's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.