How Many People Are Named Isabel?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Isabel

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 53,424 living people in the United States currently have the first name Isabel. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 91,085 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #45 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~53,424CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)91,085Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#45U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1954 (2,005 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~53,424
Historical Births (SSA)
91,085
All-Time Rank
#45
Historical Peak
1954

Key Insights for Isabel

Estimated Living Bearers
~53,424 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#45
Top 100 All-Time Classic
Historical Peak Year
1954
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
91.1% Male · 8.9% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~6,678 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Isabel

Living Population Model
~53,424

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
91,085

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
80,000

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
60.6 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1954

Highest annual total: 2,005 registrations in 1954.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-11%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Isabel has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Isabel (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1954 (~2,005 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201027270
201125250
201223230
201321210
201420200
201518180
201617170
201716160
201816160
201915150
202015150
202115150
202215150
202314140
202414140

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
86/100
1950s
98/100
1960s
83/100
1970s
52/100
1980s
24/100
1990s
9/100
2000s
3/100
2010s
1/100
2020s
1/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Isabel has been predominantly masculine (91.1% male vs 8.9% female).

Male: 91.1% (~82,956 births)Female: 8.9% (~8,129 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Isabel

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Isabel in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Isabel appeared 80,000 times, ranking #229 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
80,000 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#229
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Isabel Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~6,678 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~6,67812.5%
Texas (TX)~4,9159.2%
Florida (FL)~3,6336.8%
New York (NY)~3,2596.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~2,1374%
Illinois (IL)~2,0843.9%
Ohio (OH)~1,9233.6%
Georgia (GA)~1,7633.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 53,424 people named Isabel are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 60.6 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Isabel: 60.6 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Isabel

How many people in the U.S. are named Isabel?

Approximately 53,424 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Isabel. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 91,085 birth applications for Isabel between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Isabel?

Isabel ranks #45 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This puts Isabel among the 100 most common first names in American history.

When was the name Isabel most popular in America?

The name Isabel reached its peak historical popularity in 1954, when 2,005 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Isabel?

Isabel has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Isabel?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Isabel has been predominantly masculine (91.1% male vs 8.9% female).

Where is the name Isabel most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Isabel resides in California, with approximately 6,678 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Isabel in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Isabel appeared 80,000 times in census returns, ranking #229 in official 2020 returns.

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