Pledge or hostage
Derived from the Germanic word 'gisil', meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage'. In medieval times, children were often sent to other courts as hostages to seal peace treaties, where they were raised as noble pledges. The name was common among European royalty and was borne by several princesses and saints.
Less common today
Gisela isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #1,107 in 1995.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
Queen of Hungary and Catholic saint
Argentine professional tennis player
German actress and singer
British giftware designer
