Isabella in Chinese
Isabella in Chinese is 伊莎贝拉 (Yī Shā Bèi Lā).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- God is my oath
Etymologically, Isabella is Hebrew and is commonly glossed as "God is my oath". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2000s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Elizabeth, Lisa, Isabel, Isabelle.
3 ways to write Isabella
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
伊莎贝拉
Yī Shā Bèi Lā
The standard transliteration of Isabella: 伊 (yī, "phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)"), 莎 (shā, "sedge (phonetic 'sa/sha')"), 贝 (bèi, "shell, cowrie (treasure)"), 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 伊 (yī) carries "i", 莎 (shā) carries "sa", 贝 (bèi) carries "bel", 拉 (lā) carries "la". The tone contour is 1-1-4-1 (high level, high level, falling, high level).
Character breakdown
29 strokes total (simplified)- 伊
yī
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)
- 莎
shā
Tone 1 · 11 strokes (simplified)
sedge (phonetic 'sa/sha')
- 贝
bèi
Tone 4 · 4 strokes (simplified)
shell, cowrie (treasure)
- 拉
lā
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to pull (phonetic 'la')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
恩慈
Ēn Cí
Inspired by "God is my oath": 恩 (ēn, "grace, kindness") + 慈 (cí, "compassionate, loving"), expressing blessing and divine protection.
Why these characters?
The idea of "God" behind Isabella is rendered by 恩, "grace, kindness"; 慈, "compassionate, loving", completes it.
Character breakdown
23 strokes total (simplified)- 恩
ēn
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
grace, kindness
- 慈
cí
Tone 2 · 13 strokes (simplified)
compassionate, loving
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
伊佑
Yī Yòu
伊 (yī, "phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)") + 佑 (yòu, "blessing, protection"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 伊 (yī), the same opening character as the transliteration 伊莎贝拉, for the "i" sound, and replaces the rest with 佑 ("blessing, protection") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
13 strokes total (simplified)- 伊
yī
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)
- 佑
yòu
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
blessing, protection
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Isabella
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Isabella ranked 7 among names recorded for girls, with 67,643 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 320,723 girls named Isabella since 1880, with the high point in 2010 (22,905 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #894 to #4 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2010
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 320,723
More About Isabella in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Isabella offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Isabella, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Elizabeth in Chinese, Lisa in Chinese, Isabel in Chinese, Isabelle in Chinese, and Elise in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Elizabeth in Chinese, Lisa in Chinese, and Isabel in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Isabelle in Chinese, Elise in Chinese, Abigail in Chinese, Kayla in Chinese, and Alexis in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Isabella, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Isabella to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Isabella translated into Chinese?
伊莎贝拉 (Yī Shā Bèi Lā), or 伊莎貝拉 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Isabella?
US Social Security records show 320,723 girls named Isabella since 1880, with the high point in 2010 (22,905 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #894 to #4 among girls.
Is there a Chinese name for Isabella with real meaning?
Try 恩慈 (Ēn Cí): grace, kindness + compassionate, loving, inspired by "God is my oath". For something that still sounds like Isabella, 伊佑 (Yī Yòu) is a middle ground.