Gisele

Gisѐle is a French name which comes from the Germanic word “gisíl” meaning “pledge”. The name is thought to be derived from the medieval practice of leaving children in foreign courts to be brought up as “pledges” for an alliance. The name was borne most famously by Gisѐle, wife of Duke Rollo (Rolf) of Normandy in the 10th century. Rollo was a Viking leader to whom the lands of Normandy were granted by France’s King Charles III under the provisions of a treaty after Rollo’s defeat in Paris. Gisѐle, the King’s daughter, was also part of the compromise and "pledged" over to Rollo as his bride. It is on her account that the name Gisѐle became so popular in medieval France. The Normans introduced the name to England after the Conquest of 1066; however, it appears that the popularity of the 1841 ballet “Giselle” had more influence in the English-speaking world in terms of the name’s modern usage (which is why most English speakers use the double-L version of the name).