Pledge or hostage
Gissella is a variant of Giselle, derived from the Germanic word 'gisil'. Historically, it referred to a child left as a pledge or hostage at a foreign court to ensure peace between two parties. The name gained popularity in the French-speaking world before spreading globally.
Less common today
Gissella isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #9,739 in 2000.
Italian actress and producer
Hungarian-Jewish gynecologist and Holocaust survivor
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
