Gisella is the Italian Giselle, itself derived from the Old German element gisal meaning "hostage, pledge" (from Proto-Germanic *gīslaz). The name may have originally been a descriptive nickname for a child given as a pledge to a foreign court.Etymology and HistoryThe name Giselle has a rich medieval history. It was borne by a sister and a daughter of Charlemagne, as well as a daughter of the French king Charles III who married the Norman leader Rollo in the 10th century. Another notable early bearer was the 11th-century Gisela of Swabia, wife of Holy Roman emperor Conrad II. The Italian form Gisella became common in Italy through cultural exchange in the Middle Ages.Cultural SignificanceThe name gained widespread recognition in the English-speaking world thanks to Adolphe Adam's ballet Giselle (1841), though it was not regularly used as a given name until the 20th century. In Italy, Gisella has been a steady presence, particularly during the mid-20th century.Notable BearersGisella Anastasia (born 1990), Indonesian actress and singerGisella Caccialanza (1914–1998), American ballet dancerGisella Floreanini (1906–1993), Italian partigiana and politicianGisella Perl (1907–1988), Hungarian Jewish doctor known for her role in the HolocaustGisella Sofio (1931–2017), Italian film actressRelated FormsCognates of Gisella exist across many languages: German Gisela, French Gisèle and Ghislaine, Slovak Gizela, and Spanish Gisela. The English variant Gisselle is also used.Meaning: hostage, pledgeOrigin: Old GermanicType: Given nameUsage regions: Italy, but used internationally in various forms