Pledge or hostage
Gizel is a rare variant of the name Giselle. It is derived from the Germanic word 'gisil', which historically referred to a person held as a pledge or a noble youth sent to a foreign court as a hostage to ensure a treaty.
Less common today
Gizel isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #6,010 in 2009.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
